A set of techniques which enable one to manipulate DNA. One of the main techniques is DNA cloning (because it produces an unlimited number of copies of a particular DNA segment), and the result is sometimes called a DNA clone or gene clone (if the segment is a gene), or simply a clone. An organism manipulated using recombinant DNA techniques is called a genetically modified organism (GMO).

Among other things, recombinant DNA technology involves:

- identifying genes;

- cloning genes;

- studying the expression of cloned genes; and

- producing large quantities of the gene product.