genetically significant dose noun (radiology)

The dose of radiation that, if given to every member of a population prior to conception of children, would produce in the children the same genetic or hereditary harm as the actual doses received by the various individuals

genetic code noun

The rules which relate the four bases of DNA (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine) or RNA (adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil) with the 20 amino acids found in proteins

genetic counselling noun

Advice, based on chromosomal and amniotic fluid investigation, etc, given to prospective parents on possible heritable defects in their children

genetic drift noun

A change in the genetic structure of organisms caused by factors other than natural selection

genetic engineering noun

Another name for genetic manipulation

genetic fingerprint noun

The particular DNA configuration exclusive to an individual human or animal or its offspring

genetic fingerprinting noun

The identification of genetic fingerprints (eg in forensic science, to identify or eliminate a specific individual)

genetic marker noun

An identifiable DNA sequence that can be inherited and readily traced

genetic manipulation noun

The procedures with which it is possible to combine DNA sequences from widely different organisms in vitro, often with great precision, thus in the long term making possible the control of hereditary defects and, currently, the mass production of useful biological substances (eg insulin and human growth hormone)

genetic parents plural noun

The ‘natural’ parents, those whose genes the child carries

genetic screening noun

The testing of high-risk sections of the population for signs of hereditary disease

genetic spiral noun (botany)

A hypothetical line through the centres of successive leaf primordia at the shoot apex