Would
you like to make any
comment or add other information?
First posted:
1 August 2008
Modified: 7 August 2009
Tree species
being manipulated:
- Poplar
- Eucalyptus
- Pine (Pinus halepensis)
Aim of genetic
manipulation
- faster growth
- increased cellulose content
- improved fiber properties
- Resistance to Bacterial Wilt disease in Eucalyptus (caused by the
soil bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum) (1)
Those carrying
out the research:
- CBD Technologies.
In Brazil, CBD Technologies is associated with pulp and paper company
Suzano, in a project to increase the growth rate of eucalyptus trees.
“Regular eucalyptus trees are usually cut down after seven years,
during which they grow to a height of 20 meters. Trees treated with
CBD can reach that height in 3 years or less,” stated Dr. Seymour
Hirsch, CEO of CBD Technologies. CBD and Suzano plan to set up a joint
company to market their GE eucalyptus following the completion of
their field trials
- Hebrew University, Institute of Plant Sciences and Agriculture
- FuturaGene (Israel) and its subsidiaries, CBD Technologies and FuturaGene
Investment Consulting (Beijing) in a collaboration agreement with
the Research Institute of Tropic Forestry of the Chinese Academy of
Forestry (Eucalyptus) (1)
Field trials
- poplars in the
US
- eucalyptus, poplar and pine in Israel
- eucalyptus in Brazil
- planned field trial in Thailand
Regulatory framework for research and field trials:
- The National Committee
for Transgenic Plants (NCTP) regulates research and breeding programs
utilizing transgenic plants and techniques and also the import of
transgenic plant material. The fifteen members of the committee represent
the academic community, the public and the government (the ministries
of Agriculture, Environment, Science, Health and Industry & Trade).
Organizations
opposing GE trees:
Sources: http://infoagro.net/es/apps/news/record_view.cfm?vsys=a2&id=9130
http://gmopundit.blogspot.com/2006/05/gm-eucalyptus-and-poplar-trees-in.html
http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/101/GMTrees.html
http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/dendrome_news/uploads-newsletters/newsletter3-2.pdf
http://www.israel-embassy.org.uk/web/pages/agrgmo.htm
(1) http://www.futuragene.com/FGN%20expands%20contract%20with
%20RITF%20to%20disease%20solutions.pdf
