What is the deliberate manipulation of an organism's genetic material called?

The deliberate manipulation of an organism's genetic material is referred to as genetic engineering. This process involves techniques that allow scientists to modify the genome of an organism by adding, removing, or altering DNA sequences. Genetic engineering is widely utilized for various applications, including agriculture, where crops can be genetically modified for traits like pest resistance or increased yield, and in medicine, where it can lead to the development of biologics and gene therapies.

In contrast to genetic engineering, gene therapy specifically involves the alteration of genes to treat or prevent diseases, often targeting specific genetic disorders at the cellular level. Cloning refers to the production of genetically identical organisms or cells, rather than the modification of genetic material. Ecosystem modification relates to changes made to natural habitats and environments, which is distinct from genetic manipulation at the organism level. Each of these processes plays a different role within biotechnology, but genetic engineering is the term that specifically encompasses the direct alteration of an organism's DNA.