How is genetic engineering defined?

Genetic engineering is defined as the manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology. This definition involves several key concepts that encapsulate the essence of genetic engineering.

Firstly, the term "manipulation" indicates the active and purposeful alteration of genetic information, which can include adding, deleting, or modifying specific genes within an organism's genome. This is achieved through various biotechnological methods, such as CRISPR-Cas9, gene cloning, and recombinant DNA technology. These techniques allow scientists to directly alter the genetic makeup of an organism, leading to changes in traits or functions.

Secondly, the involvement of biotechnology emphasizes the application of scientific techniques for practical purposes. In the context of genetic engineering, this means utilizing advanced tools and methodologies to achieve goals like improving crop yield, producing pharmaceuticals, or developing gene therapies for genetic disorders.

The other choices highlight concepts that are related but do not accurately define genetic engineering. For instance, natural selection refers to the process by which certain traits become more common in a population due to survival and reproduction advantages, rather than direct manipulation of genetic material. Similarly, studying evolutionary processes involves understanding the changes in species over time but does not entail altering genes directly. Cloning involves creating a genetically identical copy of an organism, which