Towards an aligned language for genome editing

The progress of new breeding techniques, particularly genome editing, has outpaced policy. This has resulted in varied oversight outcomes and inconsistent terminology, which can confuse regulatory and scientific communication and create trade barriers. Commonly used normative wording was analyzed and international approaches were compared, with a focus on plants. Recurring communication errors were identified, such as referring to edited products as "events," describing regulatory status determinations as "approvals," and broadly stating that "genome editing results in non-GMOs." A terminology framework categorizing NBT-derived products across five dimensions is proposed: (1) the technique employed, (2) the product obtained, (3) the policy applied, (4) the analytical procedure, and (5) the final conclusion. The term "genomic intervention" is a key conceptual proposal for any DNA-altering action, from mutagenesis and conventional breeding to modern biotechnology. By using examples highlighting the presence or absence of foreign genetic material and the comparability to products achievable through conventional breeding, it is clarified that outcomes are determined by product traits rather than the techniques used to obtain them. To promote consistent language, a set of harmonized terms with proposed definitions is presented, together with corrected formulations that maintain distinctions and emphasize that products derived from NBTs are subject to different normative processes. Finally, drawing on Latin America's experience, it is argued that while formal harmonization may be absent, convergence on criteria can yield a shared language and comparable decisions, enabling cooperation and mutual recognition while respecting national sovereignty. Terminology standardization is presented as a practical tool to improve transparency, reduce misunderstandings, support dialogue and evidence-based governance, and stabilize oversight in the context of rapid biotechnological innovation.