In this paper 'genetic engineering' refers to the 'modern biotechnologies'. The production of foodstuffs such as cheese, wine, beer and bread is considered 'traditional biotechnology'.
Genes are each of the factors controlling heredity, located on a chromosome.
Genetic engineering' is a more precise term than 'modern biotechnology'. For many years, genetic engineering has been based on the view that chromosomes were static strands of DNA and proteins. The genes were considered to be switched on or off depending on the external signals they received. If a new gene was inserted into a chromosome, this gene would usually be translated into a protein. The presence or action of this protein would influence the cell, tissue or organism.