Do you wonder what genes are and how strong they can be? Genes are what makes each human different from another but at the same time also makes us all humans. Genetic Engineering deals with how to play around with our genes.
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To understand the molecular basis of inheritance, how it leads to expression of various characteristics in organisms through biomolecular processes, and how genes could be altered naturally as well as artificially.
Topics covered
What is genetic engineering?
Study of genes can have numerous applications ranging from treating diseases to finding living descendants of war survivors or finding life in another planet to finding healthy food substitutes or growing improved plant varieties or to arrest criminals even!

Have you ever thought of cloning a new species or organism by creating special genes? Or want to invent new kinds of medicine to help patients suffering from incurable diseases? Do you wish to create new types of crop plant varieties that are more nutritious?
The possibilities are vast. Modern-day genetic engineering is enormous and powerful!
So here we go! Read on to find who Genetic Engineers are, what they do, how they do it and more.
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Genetic engineering definition
It is – “the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material.”
Genetic Engineers work towards modifying properties of existing natural species of animal or plants by altering their genetic compositions. This may be by introducing a new molecule to cover a portion of a gene or by deleting a small segment of a gene or by adding a new sequence of molecules in the middle of the DNA chain or at the ends of it.
How to pursue genetic engineering?
After your Class 11-12 with Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can study for an undergraduate degree. Then you can do a Master’s degree. Then you may either opt for a work opportunity or complete your Ph.D.
You can study for a Bachelor’s / Master’s / Doctoral degree in any of the following 24 fields (Note that all these fields may not offer you a degree at all three levels, that is in Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral.
Some fields may offer a degree only at the Master’s or at the Doctoral level or may only be a specialization / certificate program):
- Evolution and Genetic Architecture
- Molecular Genetics
- Genomics
- Animal Genetics & Breeding
- Biochemistry and Genetics
- Biomedical Genetics
- Accessible Genetics
- Genetics and Genome Biology
- Medical Genetics
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Classical Genetics
- Epigenetics
- Genetic Diagnostics
- Genetic Genealogy
- Human Genetics and Medical Biotechnology
- Human Molecular Genetics
- Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine
- Nutrition and Genetics
- Pediatric Genetic Testing
- Pharmacogenomics & Genetics
- Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
- Plant Breeding & Genetics
- Plant Genetic Resources
- Population Genetics

List of 21 Colleges of Genetic Engineering in India
- Institute of Genetic Engineering, Kolkata
- Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
- Calicut University, Kozhikode
- Centre for Biotechnology, Chennai/Pondicherry
- Centre for Plant molecular biology, Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Department of Zoology, Poona University, Pune
- Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Mumbai
- University of Kerala, Thiruvananthaouram
- University of Madras, Centenary Building Chepauk, Triplicane PO, Chennai
- Jiwaji University, Gwalior
- Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
- North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon
- Osmania University, Administrative Building, Hyderabad
- Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur
- Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar
- University of Delhi
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Pusa Campus, New
Delhi - Indian Institute of Technology, Haus Khas
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

Application of genetic engineering
The possibilities are vast. Modern-day genetic engineering is enormous and powerful!
Here are 9 examples:
- Treating diseases
- Creating new types of crop plant varieties that are more nutritious
- Growing improved plant varieties
- Finding healthy food substitutes
- Detecting life in another planet
- Discovering living descendants of war survivors
- Cloning a new species or organism by creating special genes
- Inventing new kinds of medicine to help patients suffering from incurable diseases
- Arresting criminals

Genetic engineering salary
At the entry level jobs in India, after your Master’s degree depending upon the institution where you are graduating from, you may expect to get about Rs. 30,000 – 50,000 or even more a month.
In India
Junior level jobs | with 4-5 years of experience | Rs. 45,000 – 60,000+ per month |
Mid-level jobs | with 8-10 years of experience | Rs. 1,00,000 – 2,00,000+ a month. |
Senior-level jobs | with having 15 years of experience | Rs. 1,50,000 – 3,00,000+ a month. |
Global (US)
At the entry level jobs, after your Graduate (after Master’s or Ph.D.) degree depending upon your college, you may expect to get about $4,500 – 7,000+ a month.
Junior level jobs | with 4-5 years of postgraduation | about $5,000 – 8,000+ per month |
Mid-level jobs | with 8-10 years of experience | about $7,000 – 12,500+ per month |
Senior level jobs | with 12-15 years of experience | about $10,000 – 18,000+ per month. |
People in senior leadership roles may make much more. For example, a Vice President/President in charge of R&D in a global pharmaceutical company may make half a million dollar a year or even more.
Fin.
Genetic engineering is a powerful tool if applied correctly. Read Ming Y. Zheng’s written treatise on genetic engineering. It’s a simple PDF.
How about starting right away to be a future genetic engineer?
Nevertheless, if you have doubts about your career at this point, do have a chat with our industry experts. Do not stress it out! iDreamCareer mentors are always ready to help. We help young minds like you from 9th class, 10th class, class 11, class 12. iDC has an aim to outline the most-suited career choices for you.
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With a Master’s in Biophysics-Biostatistics, Sreenanda acquired professional experience in computational proteomics of human molecules. She is currently working with the Research and Data Team at iDreamCareer.