Which term describes a plant or animal whose genetic makeup has been altered using recombinant DNA technology?

The term that best describes a plant or animal whose genetic makeup has been altered using recombinant DNA technology is "Genetically Modified Organism" (GMO). This designation is specifically used for organisms that have had their DNA modified through genetic engineering, a technique that allows for the direct manipulation of an organism’s genes. By utilizing recombinant DNA technology, scientists can introduce new traits or enhance existing characteristics, ultimately producing plants or animals that have specific desirable traits, such as increased resistance to pests or improved nutritional content.

While gene editing and other terms may relate to genetic alterations, they do not encompass the full range of modifications that genetically modified organisms undergo. For instance, gene-edited organisms typically refer to those altered through techniques like CRISPR, which may not necessarily involve the introduction of foreign genes. Hybrid organisms refer to a mix of species through traditional breeding methods rather than genetic engineering. Cloned organisms are genetically identical copies of an organism, which is a different process from modification using recombinant DNA technology.

Therefore, "Genetically Modified Organism" is the most accurate and widely recognized term in the context of organisms created through recombinant DNA technology.