Explain in your own words the concept of genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering is the process of intentionally modifying the DNA of an organism to achieve a specific outcome. By altering the genetic makeup of a plant, animal, or microorganism, scientists can cause it to exhibit new traits or characteristics that would not normally occur in nature. This can be done through various techniques such as gene splicing, where genes from one organism are inserted into the DNA of another organism, or gene editing, where targeted changes are made to specific parts of the DNA sequence. This technology has many applications in fields such as agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology, and has the potential to greatly benefit society by improving crop yields, fighting diseases, and creating new medicines. However, it also raises ethical concerns about the manipulation of life and the potential unintended consequences of altering the natural genetic code.