nontransgenic

Nontransgenic refers to organisms that do not contain transgenes or foreign DNA sequences introduced from other species through genetic engineering. In contrast, transgenic organisms carry at least one gene from a non-native source or have foreign DNA integrated into their genome. The term is commonly used to describe organisms produced without recombinant DNA technologies.

The use and meaning of nontransgenic vary by context and jurisdiction. It is often applied to organisms produced through conventional plant and animal breeding methods, such as selective breeding, hybridization, or mutation breeding, where no foreign DNA is deliberately inserted. It can also apply to some gene-edited organisms in which the final product contains no foreign DNA and resembles naturally occurring variation, though regulatory definitions differ on whether gene-edited plants are considered nontransgenic.

Regulatory and labeling frameworks differ internationally. Some regulatory systems classify organisms based on the presence of foreign DNA, potentially exempting nontransgenic or certain gene-edited varieties from strict GMO oversight, while others assess risks associated with the editing process itself regardless of DNA origin. In practice, the classification of a given organism as nontransgenic depends on both its production method and the presence or absence of transgenic material in the final product.

Examples of nontransgenic subjects include crop varieties developed through conventional breeding and, in some cases, gene-edited crops that do not retain foreign DNA. The term serves as a contrast to transgenic varieties and is part of ongoing debates about regulation, labeling, and consumer perception in biotechnology.