What does genetic engineering involve?

Genetic engineering involves manipulating genetic material to produce desired outcomes, such as altering the traits of organisms or creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This process involves techniques that enable scientists to add, remove, or modify DNA in order to achieve specific objectives, such as improved disease resistance in plants or the production of insulin in bacteria. By directly altering an organism's genetic makeup, researchers can enhance or introduce traits that may not occur naturally.

The other options do not define genetic engineering accurately. Studying the effects of environmental change focuses more on external factors affecting organisms rather than altering their genetic structures. Monitoring population genetics without intervention refers to observing genetic variations and changes in populations over time but does not involve any manipulation of genetic material. Cloning, while related to genetics, specifically refers to creating a genetically identical copy of an organism, which is a different process from the broader scope of genetic engineering.