Final answer:
Organisms with traits produced by recombinant DNA are known as transgenic. This is part of the process of genetic engineering where genes from one species are inserted into another to create GMOs, including transgenic plants with improved characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Organisms that have traits produced by recombinant DNA are referred to as transgenic. Recombinant DNA technology involves the combination of DNA from different organisms to create new genetic combinations that are of value in science, medicine, agriculture, and industry. For instance, scientists have created transgenic plants to enhance crop characteristics by incorporating genes from other species, which can confer benefits like pest resistance or improved nutritional content.
Genetic engineering is a broader term for the process that includes the creation of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and covers a variety of techniques used to alter the genetic material of an organism. This can be done by introducing recombinant DNA into an organism to modify its traits. The inserted recombinant DNA can come from a different species, making the organism transgenic, or it may come from the same species for purposes such as gene therapy.