遗传工程(genetic engineering)

为了修改一种生物体或生物族群而对去氧核糖核酸（DNA）或其他核酸进行人工操纵、修改和重组。遗传工程一词原本泛指经由遗传和繁殖而修改或操纵生物体的多种技术。如今，这个用语意指较小范围的重组DNA技术，或者基因复制，其中出自两个或更多来源的DNA分子互相结合（在细胞内或试管中），然後被注入它们能够藉着繁殖的宿主生物体。这种技术可以用来制造新的基因组合，对科学、医学、农业或工业具有价值。藉着重组DNA技术，已经制造出能够合成人类胰岛素、人类干扰素、人类生长激素、B型肝炎疫苗和其他医学有用物质的细菌。重组DNA技术结合了大量制造抗体的技术发展，已经对医学诊断和癌症研究产生冲击。植物已有基因上的调整，以进行固氮，并产生自己的杀虫剂。能对油进行生物降解的细菌已经制造出来，用於油污的清除。遗传工程也引发了人们对基因逆向操作及其後果的恐惧（如耐受抗生素的细菌或新的疾病类型）。亦请参阅biotechnology、molecular biology。

English version：

genetic engineering

Artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other nucleic-acid molecules in order to modify an organism or population of organisms. The term initially meant any of a wide range of techniques for modifying or manipulating organisms through heredity and reproduction. Now the term denotes the narrower field of recombinant-DNA technology, or gene cloning, in which DNA molecules from two or more sources are combined, either within cells or in test tubes, and then inserted into host organisms in which they are able to reproduce. This technique is used to produce new genetic combinations that are of value to science, medicine, agriculture, or industry. Through recombinant-DNA techniques, bacteria have been created that are capable of synthesizing human insulin, human interferon, human growth hormone, a hepatitis-B vaccine, and other medically useful substances. Recombinant-DNA techniques, combined with the development of a technique for producing antibodies in great quantity, have made an impact on medical diagnosis and cancer research. Plants have been genetically adjusted to perform nitrogen fixation and to produce their own pesticides. Bacteria capable of biodegrading oil have been produced for use in oil-spill cleanups. Genetic engineering also introduces the fear of adverse genetic manipulations and their consequences (e.g., antibiotic-resistant bacteria or new strains of disease). See also biotechnology, molecular biology.