What is the term for the manipulation of genes, including their expression and variability?

The term "genetic technology" encompasses a broad range of methods and approaches used to manipulate genes, including not just the alteration of the genes themselves but also the way they are expressed and the variability within organisms. This umbrella term includes techniques such as genetic engineering, CRISPR-Cas9, and gene cloning, which allow scientists to modify the genetic material of an organism in precise ways.

Genetic technology can lead to advancements in various fields, including agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology, by enabling researchers to enhance desirable traits, produce specific proteins, or correct genetic disorders. This distinction is important because it specifies that the term covers both the modification of the genetic sequence and the regulation of gene expression, as well as variations introduced through these methods.

In contrast, the other options refer to more specific aspects of genetic manipulation. Genetic modification typically refers to the changes made to the genetic material itself, while transgenic organisms are those that have had genes from another species introduced into their genome, and gene therapy is a specific application aimed at correcting defective genes to treat genetic disorders.