euphenics

noun

eu·​phen·​ics yü-ˈfe-niks 

plural in form but singular in construction

: the therapeutic techniques and procedures for amelioration of the deleterious phenotypic effects of a genetic defect especially without altering the genetic makeup of the germplasm of the individual

euphenic

yü-ˈfe-nik 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

eu- + phen- (in phenotype entry 1) + -ics, by analogy with genotype entry 1 : eugenics

Note: The term was coined by the American molecular biologist Joshua Lederberg (1925-2008) in "Molecular Biology, Eugenics and Euphenics," Nature, vol. 198, issue 4879 (May 4, 1963), pp. 428-29.

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

euphenics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

eu·​phen·​ics yu̇-ˈfen-iks 

: the amelioration of the deleterious phenotypic effects of a genetic disorder (as phenylketonuria) that involves treatment (as a change in diet) that alters the environment but not the genetic makeup of an individual