Alternatively, a new version of a gene can also be created through reverse transcription: during gene expression, the mRNA is copied back into a sequence of DNA that is inserted into the genome.

其二，新的基因复本也可能透过反转录作用，将基因来的mRNA反转录成DNA序列，再插回基因组内，这种象称为反转录移位（retrotransposition），发生在细胞内称为长因子（LINE）的转位子活动时。