The process of discovering through random mutation, genes that lead to particular phenotypes, with a mutagen being used to accelerate this process. Once the mutants have been isolated with this screening method, the mutant gene can be identified molecularly and its function discovered. In contrast to reverse genetics, forward genetics goes from the phenotype to the gene.
See Cell migration, Conditional knockouts, Developmental genetics, Genotype and phenotype, Reverse genetics, Transgene