cisgenesis
Description:
An approach that modifies the genetic material of an organism with a sequence from a donor from the same species or one closely related
Context:
Cisgenesis is a type of genetic modification where a plant’s own genes, or genes from a closely related plant that could naturally breed with it, are inserted into its genome. Unlike transgenesis, no genes from unrelated species are used.
In food safety, EFSA evaluates cisgenic plants to ensure they are safe to eat and safe for the environment. EFSA assesses whether the inserted genes could cause toxicity, allergenicity, or unexpected effects, providing scientific advice to help regulators decide if these plants can be approved for cultivation or sale in the EU.