Genetic engineering can be defined as the use of genetic techniques aimed at modifying the genome of living organisms, thereby being used to develop Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). In the USA, genetic engineering methodologies have been used in agriculture to improve crop yields and reduce costs (for example, by reducing the need to use pesticides). Some of the most important genetic engineering techniques that nowadays are being used in agriculture research include biolistic transformation, <em>Agrobacterium</em>-mediated transformation, the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system, etc.
Carbon dating is a process that estimates the age of anything. However, there are flaws that exist. It may not be a precise number, but it does gives a good estimation.
Mantle plumes that form hotspots are thought to be relatively stationary whereas the overlying tectonic plates typically are not. Thus, as a plate moves over the location of a plume eruption, it carries successively older volcanoes with it.