Forward genetics is a term that refers to a research methodology that aims to identify the genetic basis of a particular phenotype. This approach involves screening a pool of organisms with a variety of genetic mutations to identify the ones that display an altered phenotype. This process involves identifying the mutation, isolating the affected gene, and studying the functions of that gene. While forward genetics is a commonly used term, there are other synonyms that are often used interchangeably including, classical genetics, phenotype-driven genetics, and phenotype-based genetics. These all refer to the same fundamental approach where random mutations are screened in order to identify functional genetic elements.