Without genetic engineering

The terms ‘Gentechnikfrei’, ‘ohne Gentechnik’ or (incorrectly) ‘genfrei’ are used to describe products that are free from genetically modified organisms and have also been produced without the use of such organisms. The term mainly covers the areas of food and cosmetic products; in the case of pharmaceuticals and medicines, the question of whether production involves genetic engineering is rarely a subject of debate.

The term ‘gene-free’ is misleading in this context, as almost all foodstuffs are produced from living organisms and therefore contain their genes. The word ‘gene-’ is a misleading abbreviation of ‘genetic engineering’. In biological terminology, the term ‘GMO-free’ is used in connection with parts of the genome that do not contain genes. These include, for example, the centromeres and telomeres of chromosomes and heterochromatin in general.^[1]

A GMO-free zone is an area that is, or is intended to be, free from genetically modified organisms in animal and/or plant breeding.

Further information: Wikipedia “GMO-free”

For more information on genetic engineering, see also: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.net/gentechnik/