genetically modified

adjective

: having or containing DNA that has been altered artificially in order to express (see express entry 1 sense 4) or suppress (see suppress sense 6) a targeted trait or traits : being produced or altered by genetic modification

Three of the world's largest paper and lumber producers have formed a joint venture … that hopes to be the first group to commercialize genetically modified trees.

—Kathryn Brown

The USDA has approved a genetically modified purple tomato, clearing the path for the unique fruit to be sold in American stores next year.

—Zoe Sottile

In experiments on guinea pigs, scientists have used genetically modified human embryonic stem cells to make a biological pacemaker.

—D. Shiga

—abbreviation GM see also genetically modified organism

Examples of genetically modified in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The kidney was genetically modified to make the organ more receptive to the human body and reduce the likelihood of rejection, according to the hospital. —Ty Roush, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

As a genetically modified, or GMO, turkey, he was bred to grow massively in just a few months to be someone’s Thanksgiving dinner. —Jenna Intersimone, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

When the scientists genetically modified the cells to make a version of the enzyme that doesn’t congregate, the mitochondria could no longer produce amino acids. —Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 Nov. 2024

The seeds, hand-packaged in Ojai, are neither genetically modified nor chemically treated, and most are certified organic. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024

With Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy, a patient’s T cells are collected, genetically modified in a lab, and then injected back into the patient. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

genetically modified

adjective

: having or containing DNA that has been altered artificially in order to express (see express sense 3) or suppress (see suppress sense 3) a targeted trait or traits : being produced or altered by genetic modification

A 57-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy who … was not a candidate for standard therapeutics, including a traditional allograft, received a heart from a genetically modified pig … that had 10 individual gene edits.

—Bartley P. Griffith et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

—abbreviation GM see also genetically modified organism