What term refers to the deliberate modification of an organism's attributes by manipulating its genetic material?

The term that refers to the deliberate modification of an organism's attributes through the manipulation of its genetic material is genetic engineering. This process involves the direct alteration of the DNA of an organism to achieve desired traits or characteristics, such as improved resistance to pests, enhanced nutritional content, or specific production capabilities. Techniques used in genetic engineering include methods like CRISPR/Cas9, recombinant DNA technology, and gene cloning, which allow for precise edits to an organism's genome.

Gene therapy is focused on correcting genetic disorders in individuals by inserting, altering, or removing genes within an individual’s cells, rather than modifying an organism's overall attributes across generations. Biotechnology is a broader field that encompasses genetic engineering but also includes techniques that utilize living systems and organisms to develop products. Transcription refers specifically to the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template and does not pertain to the overall modification of an organism's genetic attributes. Thus, the most accurate term for the deliberate modification of an organism’s genetic material is genetic engineering.