CISGENESIS AND CISGENIC CROPS: Need for a Paradigm Shift in Harnessing and Governance

Abstract

Cisgenesis is an emerging technology that has much potential in develo** crops and for other innovations. The possibilities of using Cisgenesis are discussed in the literature and there have been experiments to test it and they have proved that it is yet to be commercialized or adopted widely. A major reason is whether to assess it as a Genetically Modified Crop or as a traditionally bred crop or its equivalent. While the opinion on this is divided linking it with the regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms is resulting in controversies although the idea of cisgenesis was advocated by Schouten to overcome this issue. Describing the issue and the entanglements, and, by referring to two concepts ‘bio-object’ and ‘bio-identification’, this Chapter takes the view that the controversy will persist in the near future as regulations on genome edited crops are evolving but in a different direction. This chapter proposes a Global Consortium to pursue research and development in Cisgenesis and Cisgenic crops and suggests how this Consortium can use ideas and practices like Responsible Research and Innovation and Participatory Plant Breeding. Similarly better engagement with stakeholders and dealing with non-technical issues in risk assessment are suggested.