The manipulation (and alteration) of genes is called?

• A. Gene therapy
• B. Genomics
• C. Genetic engineering
• D. Molecular genetics

Answer: (C)

Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating genes to change their sequence, function, or how they are expressed. It covers a wide range of applications and tools used to alter DNA in organisms. Gene therapy is a specific application of this work, aiming to treat diseases by delivering or editing genes in patients, but the broader activity described in the question is genetic engineering. Genomics focuses on studying the genome’s structure, content, and variation, not on altering genes, while molecular genetics explores the molecular mechanisms of how genes work and are regulated, not necessarily the act of changing them. So the best answer is genetic engineering because it directly refers to the manipulation and alteration of genetic material.