GE
Tree Field Trials in Russia
planned for October 2009
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Little is known about
GE tree research in Russia and even less about field trials. However,
a research article published in September 2006 in “New Forests
(Volume 32, Number 2), informs that a transgenic poplar (Populus tremula)
was grown “outside during 3 years”, which means that there
has been at least one open air GE tree field trial in this country.
Recent press articles
have informed about plans to plant some 300,000 genetically modified
aspens and birch trees -currently in greenhouses- in the open air
near the cities of St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod. According to
those reports, planting would take place in the Autumn of 2009.
In order to raise
awareness about this serious threat, WRM has produced an information
sheet containing the basic information we have been able to compile
on this issue. You can assist us in improving and updating the information
sheet by sending us relevant information (see electronic
form below).
Russia
- WRM information sheets on GE tree
research
Would
you like to make any
comment or add other information?
First posted:
8 July 2009
Tree
species being manipulated:
- Aspen (Populus
tremula) and Birch (Betula sp) (1,4)
- Cembra pine (Pinus cembra) (2)
Aim
of genetic manipulation
- Faster growth (1,
2, 3)
- Harder wood pulp (1)
Those
carrying out the research:
- Institute for Bioorganic
Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1)
- Siberian Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry of Plants, Northern
Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Irkutsk) (2)
Regulatory
framework for research and field trials:
- Current Russian
legislation bans large plantations of transgenic plants (1). According
to a Pravda article, “scientists expect that the ban will be
lifted soon” (4)
Field
trials
- A research report
abstract on transgenic poplar (Populus tremula) states that the plants
were grown “ outside during 3 years” (3)
- In the autumn (October) of 2009, 300,000 genetically modified aspens
and birch trees, currently in greenhouses, are planned to be planted
in the open air near the cities of St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod
(1, 4)
Organizations
opposing GE trees:
Greenpeace Russia
Friends of the Siberian Forests
Sources:
1.- Russian biologists plan to plant 300,000 genetically modified
aspens and birch trees at two experimental fields, Informnauka news
agency reports. June 18, 2009
http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/russians_
plan_plant_mutant_trees_super_fast_growth_rate
2.- Transgene Aspen And Cloned Karelian Birch,17.06.2003
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/biowissenschaften_
chemie/bericht-19227.html
3.- Transgenic poplar with enhanced growth by introduction of the
ugt and acb genes
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/nefo/
2006/00000032/00000002/00006100?crawler=true
4.- Mutant forests to be planted in Russia
http://english.pravda.ru/science/tech/04-07-2009/107942-Mutant_forests-0
