A chimeric gene is a type of gene formed by the fusion of two or more different genes. This fusion can occur due to genetic mutations or through artificial means such as genetic engineering. The resulting chimeric gene may have new or altered functions, as it contains DNA sequences from multiple genes that may not have previously interacted.

Chimeric genes can have important implications in both health and disease. For example, in cancer, chimeric genes can arise due to genetic mutations that result in the fusion of normally separate genes, leading to abnormal growth and proliferation of cells. Chimeric genes can also be artificially engineered for use in research or therapy, such as the production of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for cancer treatment.

Overall, chimeric genes represent an important area of study in genetics and can have significant impacts on human health and disease.