Research on genetically
engineered trees is being –or has been- carried out in a number
of countries, but the public is either unaware about this or has been
led to believe that this is a positive scientific development for
the “improvement” of trees.
People in those countries were
never been asked to give their free, prior and informed consent to
such dangerous research. For that to be possible, the first necessary
step was to be adequately informed, but that has never happened. In
order to try to fill that information gap in an understandable manner,
in 2004 WRM and Friends of the Earth jointly published “Genetically
modified trees: the ultimate threat to forests” (by Chris
Lang) and in 2007, WRM published the short briefing “Transgenic
trees”.
As a follow up, WRM has been carrying
out a collaborative effort with a number of organizations in countries
having GE tree research in order to have a clear picture about the
current situation, trying to respond to questions such as Where? What
for? By who? With who’s support? Under what legal framework?
Who is opposing?
The present briefing is the result
of such effort and provides sufficient information for concerned organizations
and individuals in the relevant countries to involve themselves in
the issue. The process is still ongoing and new information provided
by partners or identified by WRM –and checked with country partners-
is being continuously added to country information sheets. We welcome
any additional information. Please contact anafili@wrm.org.uy with
any further details.
What follows is a short summary
of the situation in those countries where GE tree research has been
detected, with links to the information sheets produced on all those
countries:
Australia
Information on GE tree research
in this country is unclear. However, one fact is known: research is
or has been carried out on GE eucalyptus aimed at faster growth, “improved”
wood quality and sterility. Although CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organisation) discontinued its research in
2003 –which included glasshouse eucalyptus trials- little is
known about the work being carried out at two universities –Melbourne
and Adelaide- and even less about research by Ensis (a “a collaboration
agreement between CSIRO and New Zealand’s Scion”). In
any case, it is important to underscore that Australia is the most
dangerous country for carrying out research on GE eucalyptus, given
that these trees are native to Australia. Any accidental release of
pollen from GE eucalyptus –for instance, those manipulated for
sterility- could easily contaminate and threaten the future of the
country’s forest ecosystems.
see the information sheet here
Belgium
The world’s first release
of genetically modified trees was a field trial of herbicide resistant
GM poplars established in Belgium in 1988. Research is currently being
carried out by the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, now trying
to modify the lignin content of poplars for easier ethanol production.
As a result of a strong campaign –led by Greenpeace- authorization
for a field trial was refused in May 2008. However, Belgian academics
are collaborating with Southampton University researchers involved
in GE poplars in the UK. The research team, which includes academics
from France, is also seeking locations for field trials in Belgium.
see
the information sheet here
Brazil
Research in this country is exclusively
centred on eucalyptus, manipulated for faster growth, reduction and
modification of lignin for cellulose production, “improvement”
of the quality of the timber and herbicide tolerance. Those carrying
out the research include corporations such as International Paper
do Brasil, Suzano Bahia Sul Papel e Celulose, Alellyx Applied Genomics,
ArborGen, Monsanto, as well as the Federal Universities of Viçosa
and Rio Grande do Sul. However, many more corporations are providing
support to this research under two groupings: 1) Project “Genolyptos”,
funded by a consortium of pulp and paper companies including Aracruz
Celulose, Celmar Indústrias de Celulose e Papel, Bahia Sul
Celulose, International Papel do Brasil, Jarcel Celulose, Celulose
Nipo-Brasileira, Klabin/Riocell, Veracel Celulose, Lwarcel Celulose
e Papel, Rigesa Celulose, Papel e Embalagens, Votorantim Celulose
e Papel and Zanini Florestal, among other; 2) Conselho de Informações
sobre Biotecnologia (CIB), whose associates include –among many
other- Arborgen, BASF, Bayercropsciences, Cargill, Dow Agrosciences,
DuPont, Monsanto, Nestlé, Syngenta Seeds. A number of field
trials have been approved and implemented, mostly in the State of
Sao Paulo (São Simão, Mogi Guaçú, Itararé,
Itatinga, Brotas, Angatuba, Santa Cruz das Palmeiras, Borebi, Altinópolis,
Luiz Antônio, Avaí, Guararema, Taquarivaí, Paranapanema),
while there is one in Minas Gerais (Coimbra), and another in Rio Grande
do Sul (Eldorado).
see the information sheet here
Canada
In Canada, there have been one
or two field trials in any given year since 1997. At present there
is one open-air trial of a genetically engineered poplar at the Laurentian
Forestry Centre in Quebec. Past research has involved poplar species,
White Spruce (Picea glauca) and Black Spruce (Picea mariana). Genetic
engineering was aimed at herbicide resistance (poplar), resistance
to spruce budworm (White Spruce) and genetic research with use of
marker genes (Black Spruce). The trees from those past research were
cut down in 2006. Organized resistance to GE trees is quite strong
in this country, which may explain the reluctance of government to
encourage further research.
see the
information sheet here
Chile
Much research is being carried
out in this country, but very little information is available on its
results and even less on whether there are or not any field trials.
Research is focused on manipulating radiata pines (resistance to pine
shoot moth and to pitch canker fungus) and eucalyptus (faster growth,
higher cellulose content in wood, increased resistance to cold). Those
carrying out the research include GenFor (a joint venture between
Canada’s Silvagen, US’s Interlink and Fundación
Chile) and Consorcio Genómico Forestal, that operates in the
University of Concepción’s Biotechnology Centre in the
Bio Bio Region. Research is supported by the main plantation companies
(Forestal Arauco and Forestal Mininco), by the state’s Forestry
Institute INFOR and by the Universities of Concepción, Austral
and Frontera.
see the information sheet here
China
China is the only country in the
world to have commercially released GE trees. Well over one million
insect resistant GM poplars have been planted in China since 2002.
No records are kept of where the trees are planted or how many have
been planted. According to officials from the Chinese Academy of Forestry,
“both commercialized species are female poplars with altered
fertility”. However, in 2004, Xue Dayuan of the Nanjing Institute
of Environmental Science told the China Daily that genes from the
GM poplars had already appeared in natural varieties growing nearby.
see the information sheet here
Denmark
A Danish team led by Dr Jens Find
is working on genetic manipulation of Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)
to obtain Christmas trees resistant to insects and whose needles don't
drop off. A test of these GE trees has been established in Copenhagen's
Botanical Gardens. Support to this research is being provided by the
New Zealand Institute of Forest Research.
see
the information sheet here
Finland
Tree species being manipulated
include hybrid aspen (Populus) and silver birch (Betula pendula).
A field trial belonging to the Finnish Forest Research Institute with
Silver birch was destroyed in June 2004. All of the nearly 400 seedlings
planted in the fenced and locked site of 2000 square meters were broken
off or ripped from the ground. In 2004, three Finnish environmental
NGOs (the Union of Ecoforestry, the People´s Biosafety Association,
and Friends of the Earth Finland) launched an international campaign
against GE trees. There is currently one field trial of non-flowering
silver birch being carried out at by the University of Joensuu.
see
the information sheet here
France
Research is being carried out
by government institutions. INRA (Institut National de la Recherche
Agronomique) is manipulating a hybrid poplar, focusing on producing
trees with less lignin content for the production of ethanol and for
the production of paper. There is one field trial of genetically modified
poplars at Saint Cyr en Val (Loiret). CIRAD (Centre de coopération
internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement)
is focusing on GE rubber trees for enhancing the production of rubber,
in collaboration with “public research organizations”
in Thailand. Additionally, French academics are collaborating with
Southampton University researchers involved in GE poplars in the UK.
see the information sheet here
Germany
In 1996 the Federal Research Centre
for Forestry and Forest Products in Grosshansdorf started the first
deliberate release trial of genetically modified aspens, which obtained
approval for a further trial in 2000. Two deliberate releases with
poplars were granted to the University of Freiburg. They took place
in Helbra (Saxony-Anhalt, 2002 – 2004) (5), Helbra and Großörner
(Sayony-Anhalt, 2003 – 2005). The University of Tübingen
is also involved in GE research on poplar.
see the information sheet here
Indonesia
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences
(LIPI) is working in partnership with the Japan Society for the Promotion
of Sciences (JSPS) in genetic engineering of Acacia mangium and Sengon
(Paraserianthes falcataria) for increased CO2 fixation by trees. This
Japanese-led joint project resulted in the production of 750 GE Acacia
mangium and 400 GE Sengon trees in Indonesia. Some 130 Mangium and
30 Sengon trees are being kept at the Serpong Botanical Garden. The
whereabouts of the other seedlings is unknown.
see the information sheet here
Israel
A company called CBD Technologies
is involved in GE research on Poplar, Eucalyptus and Pine (Pinus halepensis).
The aims are to achieve faster growth, increased cellulose content
and improved fiber properties. The company has field trials in the
US (poplars), Israel (eucalyptus, poplar and pine) and Brazil (eucalyptus),
and is planning to have a field trial in Thailand. In Brazil, CBD
Technologies is associated with pulp and paper company Suzano, in
a project to increase the growth rate of eucalyptus trees. CBD and
Suzano plan to set up a joint company to market their GE eucalyptus
following the completion of their field trials. Although no details
are available, the Hebrew University, Institute of Plant Sciences
and Agriculture is also involved in GE tree research.
see the information sheet here
Japan
Genetic manipulation is being
performed on several trees: Eucalyptus, Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria
japonica), Poplar, Acacia mangium and Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria).
The aims are diverse: salt-tolerant and acidic soil tolerant eucalyptus,
male sterility in Japanese cedar to avoid pollen-related allergies,
reduced lignin content and increased CO2 fixation by trees. A number
of universities are jointly working with major pulp and paper corporations.
The University of Tsukuba is working with Nippon Paper Industries
on GE eucalyptus. Gifu University works in partnership with Oji Paper,
also on eucalyptus. The Universities of Utsunomiya, Kyoto, Nagoya,
Tokyo and Shimane participate in the JSPS-LIPI Program carried out
by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) and the
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). This Japanese-led project
produced 750 GE Acacia mangium and 400 GE Sengon trees in Indonesia.
Some 130 Mangium and 30 Sengon trees are being kept at the Serpong
Botanical Garden. The whereabouts of the other seedlings is unknown.
Research on GE Japanese cedar is being carried out by the Forest Experiment
Station, Toyama Forestry and Forest Products Research Center. Field
trials of eucalyptus trees have been implemented at the University
of Tsukuba’s Gene Research Center and at Oji Paper's Forestry
Research Institute in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture. From 1998 to 2001,
Oji Paper estabished a field trial of GM eucalyptus in Vietnam.
see the information sheet here
New Zealand
Research in this country has focused
on radiata pine and Norway spruce, aimed at herbicide tolerance, flowerless
trees and wood easier to pulp. In June 2008, Scion cut down the last
radiata pine trees of its field trial, when the trees were eight-year
old and thus having reached an age where they could become reproductive
and produce heritable material. Although there now appear to be no
field trials of GE trees, it is important to note that Scion has signed
a research agreement with GE tree research company ArborGen, owned
by International Paper, MeadWestvaco and Rubicon. This means that
GE tree research will continue. However, opposition is growing and
is headed by two organizations: GE-Free New Zealand in food &
environment (Rage Inc.), and the Soil and Health Association. The
latter carried out a campaign for the Scion GE tree trial to be stopped
and the trees to be removed. Following a different approach, in January
2008, someone got into Scion's GE tree experiment site and damaged
19 trees.
see the information sheet here
Sweden
Tree species being manipulated
include poplar, eucalyptus and spruce and the aims are to obtain trees
having early flowering, faster growth, increased fibre length, wood
easier to pulp (with more easily extracted lignin content) and easier
hydrolysis of the sugar polymers for subsequent production of ethanol.
Research is being carried out by the Umeå Plant Science Centre
and by SweTree Technologies (SweTree Technologies was formed in 1999
as a joint initiative of the Foundation of Technology Transfer –Innovationsbron-
in Umeå and the company Woodheads AB. Innovationsbron aims to
profit by commercialising Swedish research and innovation. Woodheads
AB was formed to handle the intellectual property from 44 researchers
at the Umeå Plant Science Centre and the Royal Institute of
Technology in Stockholm). It is interesting to note that three Swedish
forestry companies (Sveaskog, Bergvik Skog and Holmen) are part-owners
of SweTree Technologies.
see
the information sheet here
Taiwan
The only information publicly
available is that the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute is collaborating
with the US North Carolina State University in genetically modifying
eucalyptus to achieve more CO2 uptake by these trees.
see the
information sheet here
Thailand
France’s CIRAD (Centre de
coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le
développement) is jointly working with some undisclosed Thai
“public research organizations” on rubber trees for higher
latex production and to allow callus growth recovery, with reduced
browning and sustained GUS activity. It is unknown if there are any
field trials of these trees in Thailand. GE rubber tree research receives
public support from the Charoen Pokphand group, one of the country’s
largest business empires, which has stated that “it is confident
that the government will give the go-ahead for the cultivation of
GM rubber in the future.”
see the information sheet here
United Kingdom
Research on GE trees in the past
included field trials of herbicide-resistant eucalyptus (carried out
by Shell and now discontinued) and poplar (destroyed by protesters
in 1999). The only existing field trial -carried out by researchers
from Abertay University in Dundee- is composed of elm trees genetically
modified for resistance to Dutch Elm disease. The elm field trial
is being carried out in "a controlled environment" “somewhere
in Dundee”. The scientists developing them fear "terrorism"
by protesters and will not disclose precisely where they are or give
details of the numbers. Southampton University researchers are involved
in GE poplars are carrying out the research with academics from France
and Belgium and are seeking locations in Britain and Belgium for field
trials. The application for a field trial has not yet been approved
by the relevant authorities.
see the information sheet here
USA
This is the country with the largest
number of field trials - over 350 outdoor test plots of GE trees-
the largest number of companies and universities carrying out research,
the largest number of tree species being manipulated, the largest
number of traits being genetically modified and almost certainly receiving
the largest amount of funding for research. On the other hand, opposition
is growing stronger and a number of organizations are carrying out
a coordinated campaign against GE trees. Another type of opposition
expressed itself in March 2001, when Oregon State University (OSU)
students and alumni targeted three GE test sites of Poplar and Cottonwood
trees. They ringbarked or cut down 90% of the trees at OSU's site
at the Peavey Arboretum. At OSU's tract near Half Moon Bend of the
Willamette River they eliminated 60% of the trees. Every tree was
cut down in one test plot at OSU's Agricultural Experiment Station
in Klamath Falls. In all, over 1200 GE research trees were destroyed.
see the information sheet here
