（也稱基因工程、分子生物學技術或克隆）純化、處理和使用遺傳材料的技術總和。這些技術主要基于對從細菌和動物細胞里純化出的酶的使用，使得DNA復制、轉化為RNA、轉譯為蛋白質都可以在實驗室完成。這些步驟包括在DNA特異位點切割，連接和切斷DNA片段和很多其它修飾直至對單個堿基對的處理。這些技術使得DNA的處理、在細菌和酵母體內將這些基因通過表達轉化成蛋白質、病毒生物工程、轉基因動物和滅活屬等生物工程產物、基于DNA的法庭診斷測試的發展成為可能。

(Also known as genetic engineering, molecular biology technology or cloning.) The collection of techniques that allow the purification, manipulation and use of genetic material. These techniques are mostly based on the use of enzymes purified from bacteria and animal cells, that allow steps such as DNA copying (replication), conversion into RNA (transcription), and into protein (translation), to be recapitulated in the laboratory. These steps include specific cutting of DNA at defined sites, joining or splicing of DNA fragments, and numerous other modifications which allow manipulation down to the level of a single base pair. These techniques allow the manipulation of DNA; the conversion of these genes into protein by expression in biological vats such as bacteria, and yeast; the bioengineering of viruses; the production of engineered organisms such as transgenic animals and knockout mice; and the development of DNA-based forensic and diagnostic tests.