Which process involves changing living organisms to produce something useful, including genetic modification?

The process that involves changing living organisms to produce something useful, including genetic modification, is best described by agricultural biotechnology. This field encompasses a broad range of techniques used to improve plants and animals for agricultural purposes, which may include the introduction of new traits through genetic engineering.

Agricultural biotechnology leverages tools such as genetic modification to enhance crop resilience, nutritional quality, and yield, among other benefits. By directly manipulating the genetic material of organisms, scientists can achieve specific outcomes that would be challenging or impossible through traditional methods. This modern approach allows for greater precision and efficiency in developing organisms that can meet the demands of food production and sustainability.

In contrast, organic farming focuses on natural processes and excludes synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, without employing genetic modification. Traditional breeding relies on selective breeding practices to enhance desired traits over generations, which may take significantly longer to achieve results compared to the direct methods available in agricultural biotechnology. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water, and does not involve genetic alteration of organisms.