Cisgenesis

Cisgenesis is a form of genetic modification in which a gene or genetic element from a plant’s own species or from a sexually compatible relative is introduced into another plant genome to confer a desired trait. The cisgene typically includes the native coding sequence and regulatory elements as they occur in the donor, and could be present in the recipient’s gene pool, distinguishing cisgenesis from transgenesis, which uses genes from unrelated species.

In practice, cisgenic plants are produced by transferring a donor gene using conventional plant transformation methods or by genome editing to insert or activate an existing allele from a compatible donor. The goal is to introduce traits that could have been achieved through conventional breeding, but in a more precise and faster way, without introducing foreign genes from distant species. Some definitions also include editing endogenous genes to create cisgenic configurations, provided no non-native DNA is introduced.

Applications of cisgenesis include traits such as disease resistance, quality improvements, and stress tolerance, drawn from the recipient’s gene pool or from closely related species. The approach is particularly discussed in the context of crops where useful alleles exist in wild relatives or cultivars that are not easily combined through traditional breeding due to linkage drag or reproductive barriers.

Regulatory and public acceptance considerations vary by jurisdiction. In many regions, cisgenic organisms are regulated under GMO frameworks, though supporters argue that relying on native alleles may be more acceptable than introducing foreign genes. Ongoing policy discussions address risk assessment, labeling, and transparency.