DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the blueprint for the individuality of an organism. Organisms depend on the information stored in their DNA to control all for the organism's biochemical process, such as photosynthesis in plants and cellular respiration in animals. The growth, life, and unique features of an organism are reliant on its DNA. Genes are segments of DNA which are associated with the specific features or functions of an organism.

Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of genes that alters the traits of the organism's cell. This creates new types of DNA and can change the makeup of a population.

There are four main steps that make up the process of Genetic Engineering:
1) Isolation of the genes of interest
2) Insertion of the genes into a vector
3) Transformation of cells of organism to be modified
4) Tests to isolate genetically modified organism (GMO)

Since genetic engineering is still a new process in the making, it is not known if the effects will be beneficial or harmful in the long run.

As seen above, genetic engineering can create new products that are resistant to diseases. The enzymes cut and insert the new genes. The Bt gene in corn makes it resistant to harmful insects.