Genetic engineering

Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism's DNA to alter its characteristics or produce specific biological products.

This technology uses laboratory techniques to add, delete, or edit genetic sequences, moving beyond traditional breeding to precise molecular intervention. Since the 1973 breakthrough by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen, it has scaled from basic research to global industry. Key applications include the mass production of human insulin via E. coli, the development of pest-resistant crops like Bt cotton, and the engineering of CAR-T cells for targeted cancer therapy. Modern tools like CRISPR-Cas9 have further refined this process, allowing scientists to target single base pairs with surgical accuracy to treat genetic disorders or enhance agricultural resilience.

https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetic-Engineering