• Established Genomic Techniques (EGTs): genomic techniques developed prior to the publication of Directive 2001/18/EC (April 2001)
• New Genomic Techniques (NGTs): genomic techniques developed after the publication of Directive 2001/18/EC (April 2001)

New genomic techniques (NGTs) are breeding techniques that alter the genetic material of plants, animals or microorganisms. They are used to design new traits of interest or enhance or diminish existing characteristics of an organism. NGTs, also called precision breeding, refer to the techniques developed since the adoption of the EU’s legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMO) in 2001. They allow DNA to be altered in a more precise and faster way than conventional breeding methods or established genomic techniques (EGTs), developed before 2001. NGTs, like EGTs, can be used to produce traits of interest such as improving the nutritional content of plants or making crops or animals resistant to disease or climatic conditions such as drought or flooding. NGTs introduce changes in organisms - ranging from subtle to complex - by adding, removing or rearranging sections of DNA. They include the techniques of targeted mutagenesis (e.g. genome editing), and can be used in targeted cisgenesis and intragenesis. Some applications of targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis result in genetic modifications that could also be produced by conventional breeding techniques including random mutagenesis. EU rules require risks posed by plants, animals or microorganisms produced using genetic technology to be assessed before they can be marketed in the EU.

EFSA, New genomic techniques, accessed on 13 February 2025

Source category: Agency Documents