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
Limitations and criticisms of the term include its potential to anthropomorphize genes or imply teleology, which
See also: Gene; Target gene; Gene editing; Synthetic biology; Teleology in biology.