Genetic engineering Genetic engineering , also referred to as genetic modification or GM , was the process of modifying an organism by changing their DNA . It was closely related to the concept of mutation . Instances . The Daleks . The Daleks had done extensive engineering to themselves and others . They had originally started as modified Kaled s . ( TV : " Genesis of the Daleks " ) Civil wars were known to be fought over genetic purity ( TV : " The Evil of the Daleks " ) and some Dalek technology , like the Progenitor , wouldn ' t recognise impure Daleks . ( TV : " Victory of the Daleks " ) At one point , the Daleks searched for the Human Factor and the Dalek Factor , traits that distinguished humans and Daleks from other species . By implanting the Human Factor into Alpha , Beta , Omega and other Daleks , humanised Dalek s were created . This led to the Great Civil War as the humanised Daleks questioned and rebelled against the Daleks ' orders . The opposite procedure occurred when the Daleks implanted the Dalek Factor into Theodore Maxtible . ( TV : " The Evil of the Daleks " ) The Dalek Factor turned humans into Dalek servants and in some cases when they were mortally injured , they initiated a type of regeneration . ( PROSE : " I Am a Dalek " ) Daleks of human origin were created on several occasions , in two different instances by Davros and the Dalek Emperor . ( TV : " Revelation of the Daleks " , " The Parting of the Ways " ) In 1930 New York City , the Cult of Skaro created two forms of Dalek - human hybrids . Dalek Sec became a human - Dalek after merging with Mr Diagoras , ( TV : " Daleks in Manhattan " ) and an army of hybrids were created by Dalek DNA implanted into near - dead humans with their minds wiped ; these were also given Time Lord DNA after an attempt by the Tenth Doctor to destroy the transmitter on the top of the Empire State Building which powered their creation . He was struck by lightning , fusing his DNA into their genetic code . This made them question the Daleks ' orders . ( TV : " Evolution of the Daleks " ) While in 1930 New York the Cult of Skaro implanted animal DNA into humans , turning them into pig slave s . ( TV : " Daleks in Manhattan " ) Other species . The Tzun integrated the DNA of other species into their own . ( PROSE : " First Frontier " ) The Yend attempted to modify themselves , but the radiation of the star Mortain caused uncontrollable mutation s . ( PROSE : " The Sons of the Crab " ) The Jadean were genetically engineered to withstand telepathic readings . ( PROSE : " Placebo Effect " ) Some Rakweed were genetically modified by Tree Slitheen - Blathereen to grow faster . ( TV : " The Gift " ) The Korven implanted Meron DNA in their ally , Thorne , effectively turning him into one . ( TV : " The Eclipse of the Korven " ) A Karfelon scientist known as Megelen , while experimenting with Morlox DNA , was accidentally fused with it and became the Borad . ( TV : " Timelash " ) The Luminus cult combined the DNA of the Sline lizard and the Aaglon shark to create the Slaag . ( PROSE : " Tragedy Day " ) Ravus Oldeman created the Bloodhunter by combining DNA samples collected from the surface of Akoshemon with human DNA and force generating the resulting life form , in an attempt to create a creature capable of autonomous self - stasis . ( PROSE : " Fear of the Dark ) " The humanoid Dastari was considered a pioneer of genetic engineering by the Sixth Doctor . ( TV : " The Two Doctors " ) Humans living on an alien planet genetically engineered native life forms to resemble dragon s . ( COMIC : " The Dragon Lord " ) The Silent s were genetically engineered so that one would forget them after looking away . ( TV : " The Time of the Doctor " ) The Bestiarus were genetically engineered soldier s in an alternate Rome . ( COMIC : " Doctor Who and the Iron Legion " ) Other references . Marunianism was opposed to genetic engineering . ( PROSE : " Dry Pilgrimage " )