Recombinant DNA technology, also known as genetic engineering, is a process of joining two different DNA molecules and inserting them into a host organism to produce new genetic combinations. This technology involves using enzymes and various laboratory techniques to manipulate and isolate DNA segments of interest. It allows scientists to manipulate DNA fragments in order to study them in the lab. The technology has made it possible to isolate one gene or any other segment of DNA, enabling researchers to determine its nucleotide sequence, study its transcripts, mutate it in highly specific ways, and reinsert the modified sequence into a living organism.

Recombinant DNA technology has many applications in various fields, including healthcare, agriculture, and food industry. In healthcare, it is used as a tool of gene therapy to prevent and cure acquired genetic disorders. The first commercial healthcare product derived from rDNA was human insulin, and today it is successfully applied to make new antibodies, vaccines, and different protein production systems. In agriculture, it is used to genetically modify plants to improve adaptability, resistance to harmful agents, and enhance product yield. In the food industry, it is used to manufacture novel enzymes that are suitable to prolong shelf life and kill foodborne pathogens.

However, there are concerns about the potential of gene pollution of the environment and health effects of foods from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) . To ensure the greatest degree of safety possible, all recombinant DNA work needs to be compliant with standards and guidelines set out by regulatory institutions such as the FDA.