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First posted:
1 August 2008
Updated: 21 August 2008
Updated: 23 January 2009
Tree species
being manipulated:
- aspens and poplar
(Populus tremula, Populus tremula x Populus tremuloides, Populus tremula
x alba) (1)
Aim of genetic
manipulation
- genetic stability
of new traits (rolC gene from Agrobacterium rhizogenes, bar gene from
Streptomyces hygroscopicus, nptII marker gene) (1)
- soil decontamination (heavy metals)
Those carrying
out the research:
- The Institute of
Forest Genetics at the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute,
Federal Research Institute of Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
(formerly the Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products)
(1)
- University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität) (2)
- University of Tübingen (3) (poplar)
Those who
provide support to research:
- Federal Ministry
of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Regulatory
framework for research and field trials:
- German Genetic
Modification Act, EU regulations on genetic engineering
Field trials:
- In 1996 the Federal
Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products (BFH) in Grosshansdorf
started the first deliberate release trial of genetically modified
aspens. The BFH obtained approval for a further trial in 2000 (4)
- Two deliberate releases with poplars were granted to the University
of Freiburg (2002, 2003) (4). They took place in Helbra (Saxony-Anhalt,
2002 – 2004) (5), Helbra and Großörner (Sayony-Anhalt,
2003 – 2005)(6)
- According to information from Belgium, GE poplars from the Flemish
VIB “have already been placed in open air in Germany.”
(7)
Organizations opposing GE trees:
- AG Wald der Foum
Umwelt und Entwicklung
- Bergwaldprojekt e.V.
- BUKO Agro Coordination
- Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz in Deutschland
- Earthlink, Munich
- Ecodevelop - Publikation und Dienstleistung für ökosoziale
Entwicklung
- ECOTERRA Europe
- Forum Ökologie & Papier
- Genanet - Focal Point Gender, Environment, Sustainability
- Gene-ethical Network
- Gesellschaft für Ökolgische Forschung
- OroVerde - Tropical Forest Foundation
- Pro Regenwald
- Regenwald-Institut e.V.
- Rettet den Regenwald
- Robin Wood
- Umweltinstitut Muenchen (Munich)
Sources:
1- http://www.bfafh.de/inst2/indexe.htm;
http://www.vti.bund.de/en/institutes/fg/
2 - http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_report.aspx?CurNot=B/DE/02/145
3 - http://www.gmo-safety.eu/en/safety_science/29.docu.html
4 - http://www.gmo-safety.eu/en/wood/poplar/54.docu.html
5 - http://www.bvl-berlin.de/cgi/lasso/fsl/display.lasso?azrki=6786-01-0145
6 - http://www.bvl-berlin.de/cgi/lasso/fsl/display.lasso?azrki=6786-01-0133
7.- http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/belgiums_council
_state_suspends_refusal_vibs_gm_poplar_field_trial
8
- http://db.zs-intern.de/uploads/1211985973-PR_GEtrees_080528.pdf
http://umweltinstitut.org/gentechnik/freisetzungsversuche/freisetzung-
transgener-baeume-489.html
