Final answer:
Genetic engineering is the process of modifying an organism's genes via recombinant DNA technology, creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that display desirable traits, commonly used in agriculture and medicine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic engineering is defined as the alteration of an organism's genotype using recombinant DNA technology to modify an organism's DNA to achieve desirable traits. The most common method of genetic engineering involves the addition of foreign DNA in the form of recombinant DNA vectors, which are created through molecular cloning. When this DNA comes from a different species, the modified organism is referred to as transgenic. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as herbicide-resistant soybeans and borer-resistant corn, have been instrumental in agriculture and are widely present in processed foods in the US. Additionally, genetic engineering plays a significant role in medical advances, such as the mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.