Genetic engineering is also called genetic modification or GM. It involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to result in a desired characteristic.

Genetic engineering involves these steps:

1. selection of the desired characteristic
2. the gene responsible for the characteristic is 'cut out' of the chromosome
3. the gene is transferred and inserted into another organism
4. replication of the modified organism.

Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be disease resistant or to produce bigger fruits.