Fluorescence spectroscopy is a widely used tool in biochemistry and molecular biology, playing a crucial role in medical diagnostics, DNA sequencing, and genomics. The article introduces a novel concept called Radiative Decay Engineering (RDE), which involves modifying the emission of fluorophores or chromophores by altering their radiative decay rates. Unlike traditional fluorescence experiments where radiative rates remain constant due to the extinction coefficient of the fluorophore, RDE allows for the manipulation of these rates by placing fluorophores near metallic surfaces or particles. This can lead to significant changes in quantum yields, lifetimes, and emission direction. The review highlights the physics literature demonstrating how metallic surfaces, colloids, or islands can increase or decrease emissive rates, enhance low quantum yield chromophores, and direct isotropic emission. These effects are not due to photon reflection but result from interactions between the fluorophore dipole and free electrons in the metal, altering the intensity and distribution of radiation. RDE has potential applications in biophysics, cell imaging, and diagnostics. For example, it can increase the photostability of fluorophores and enhance the detectability of single molecules. The article also discusses the use of RDE in medical testing and biotechnology, such as detecting unlabeled DNA using its intrinsic metal-enhanced fluorescence. The review concludes by emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of RDE research, requiring collaboration between physicists, engineers, chemists, and biologists to design and interpret complex experiments. The potential of RDE in advancing fluorescence technology is significant, offering new opportunities for biochemical and biomedical applications.Fluorescence spectroscopy is a widely used tool in biochemistry and molecular biology, playing a crucial role in medical diagnostics, DNA sequencing, and genomics. The article introduces a novel concept called Radiative Decay Engineering (RDE), which involves modifying the emission of fluorophores or chromophores by altering their radiative decay rates. Unlike traditional fluorescence experiments where radiative rates remain constant due to the extinction coefficient of the fluorophore, RDE allows for the manipulation of these rates by placing fluorophores near metallic surfaces or particles. This can lead to significant changes in quantum yields, lifetimes, and emission direction. The review highlights the physics literature demonstrating how metallic surfaces, colloids, or islands can increase or decrease emissive rates, enhance low quantum yield chromophores, and direct isotropic emission. These effects are not due to photon reflection but result from interactions between the fluorophore dipole and free electrons in the metal, altering the intensity and distribution of radiation. RDE has potential applications in biophysics, cell imaging, and diagnostics. For example, it can increase the photostability of fluorophores and enhance the detectability of single molecules. The article also discusses the use of RDE in medical testing and biotechnology, such as detecting unlabeled DNA using its intrinsic metal-enhanced fluorescence. The review concludes by emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of RDE research, requiring collaboration between physicists, engineers, chemists, and biologists to design and interpret complex experiments. The potential of RDE in advancing fluorescence technology is significant, offering new opportunities for biochemical and biomedical applications.