Mutagenesis is the process by which the genetic information of an organism is changed, resulting in mutations. These changes can occur naturally through errors in DNA replication or can be induced by external factors such as radiation, chemicals, or biological agents. Mutations can affect a single nucleotide or larger segments of DNA, leading to variations in traits. This process is important in fields like genetics and biotechnology, as it can lead to the development of new traits in organisms. For example, mutagenesis is used in research to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and to study the effects of mutations on disease and evolution.