..................... refers to the ability to introduce novel traits into a species of plant, animal, bacterium or virus by inserting alternative genetic material.

The correct answer is - Genetic modification

Key Points

• Genetic modification
  • It refers to the ability to introduce novel traits into a species by altering its genetic material.
  • This process involves inserting, deleting, or modifying specific genes in the DNA of an organism to achieve desired traits.
  • Genetic modification is widely used in agriculture to produce crops with improved resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions.
  • It is also applicable in medicine, such as producing genetically modified bacteria to create insulin for diabetes patients.
• Other options:
  • Eugenics: Focuses on improving the genetic quality of humans but does not involve direct genetic modification.
  • Euthenics: Concerned with improving living conditions to enhance human well-being, not altering genetic material.
  • Sociobotany: The study of the relationship between society and plants, unrelated to genetic engineering.

Additional Information

• Applications of Genetic Modification
  • Agriculture
    • Genetically modified (GM) crops like Bt cotton and Golden rice are designed to resist pests and improve nutrition.
    • Improved drought tolerance and herbicide resistance in crops.
  • Medical Applications
    • Production of therapeutic proteins such as insulin.
    • Development of gene therapy techniques for treating genetic disorders.
• Ethical Considerations
  • Concerns over unintended consequences, such as ecological imbalance or introduction of allergens in GM food.
  • Debates surrounding the ethical implications of modifying human embryos.