Doelgen

Doelgen is a term that appears in some Dutch-language discussions and speculative writing to denote a gene associated with a specific intended outcome, or "goal." It is not a standard term in modern genetics, and its use varies by author. The word combines doel (goal, target) and gen (gene), reflecting a focus on a gene linked to a desired phenotype or function. Because it is not part of official nomenclature, "doelgen" is often used as a placeholder or conceptual label rather than a precise scientific category.

In theoretical contexts, doelgen may refer to either: a hypothetical gene that could be edited to produce a targeted trait; or a class of genes implicated in goal-directed behavior in models of cognitive biology. In fiction and science communication, it can help illustrate ideas about targeted genetic modification or the ethical implications of engineering organisms to achieve defined objectives. Some authors use the term to discuss how genetic changes might align with specific aims, while others treat it as a cautionary or illustrative concept rather than a real genetic category.

Limitations and criticisms of the term include its potential to anthropomorphize genes or imply teleology, which is generally avoided in modern biology. Real-world genetics emphasizes probabilistic effects, complex pathways, and context-dependent outcomes rather than deliberate “goals.” As a result, doelgen remains a nonstandard, mainly illustrative label rather than a widely adopted scientific concept.

See also: Gene; Target gene; Gene editing; Synthetic biology; Teleology in biology.