What is Genetic Engineering?

Genetic engineering is the manipulation of genetic information to produce a desirable end result. Traditional breeding practices also manipulate the genome but are more time-consuming and less precise.

Examples of genetic engineering techniques:

• Recombinant DNA techniques
• Gene transfer
• Monoclonal antibodies
• Gene cloning (Click here for description of the process of cloning an insulin gene)

Back to What is Biotechnology?

Prepared Summer 1997 by Bernadene Magnuson, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, Dept. of Food Science and Toxicology - EXTOXNET FAQ Team.