françois houllier
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François Houllier. Item 4 EFI Position on research related to GM trees. Annual Conference of EFI 2007. A position about GM tree-related research , not about GM tree-based silviculture. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 20072
A position about GM tree-related research,not about GM tree-based silviculture
Doing research on a topic does neither mean that there will be
direct applications nor that such applications are desired and/or
desirable, • But, of course, research may also lead to applications …
GM-tree related research covers a wide range of topics,
disciplines and expertise• Tree biology and biotechnology• Assessment of ecological/environmental impacts• Comparative assessment of alternative silvicultural systems• Assessment of economic/social impacts• …
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 20074
A statement in three parts:the context
Context
• “EFI Board acknowledges that GM tree-related research is a
controversial issue, with implications for many disciplines
from biology, ecology and environmental sciences, to social
and human sciences.”
• “The Board recognised its responsibility to issue a statement
on the matter and consequently initiated a process of
discussion and consideration.”ProcessStatement
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 20075
The forestry context is different from the context in agriculture (1)
Reasons for that are diverse
• Feed and food uses (crops) vs. non food uses (forests)
• Trees are long-living perennial species
• Trees are large organisms
• Specific targets (e.g. lignin contents and type in trees)
• Large (GM crops: 102 Mha in 2006) vs. restricted (GM
forests) dissemination
• Different implication of large multinational companies
• Forests and trees are a symbol of ‘Nature’
• …
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 20076
The forestry context is different from the context in agriculture (2)
Reasons for that are diverseAs a consequence (?), the controversy is less hot than for crops
• e.g. Number of citations under Google (25 August 2007)
• GM forest : 965 (vs. 79,000 for GM crop)
• GM tree : 919 (vs. 70,800 for GM plant)
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 20077
The context:positions taken by other organizations
Several international (FAO, IUFRO Task Force « Forests and
Genetically Modified Trees ») and national organizations
(BBSRC, CSIRO, CIRAD, INRA, etc.) have expressed their
position on GMOs and/or biotechnology• either in general or with a special emphasis on research• rarely with a specific reference to forest trees
A few common features• The need for innovation and the potential role of
biotechnologies, including GM• The necessity to investigate all sorts of impacts (direct-
indirect, intentional-non intentional, short-long term, etc.)
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 20078
The context:the status in the EU in 2006 (1)
GM plants (including GM trees) are a common lab tool for plant
biologists
• Contained research using indoor facilities
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 20079
The context:the status in the EU in 2006 (2)
GM plants are a common lab tool for plant biologistsA few open-air field GM tree experiments in a few countries
presently (Poland, Germany, Finland, France, Romania, Italy,
Netherlands, Spain, Sweden) or in the past (UK, Romania,
Netherlands, Portugal)• Fruit trees: apple tree, Prunus sp., olive tree, Citrus sp.• Forest trees: poplar, aspen, silver birch, Eucalyptus• Former experiments: Norway spruce, pine, Eucalyptus• Target traits: modified wood properties, resistance to a virus,
fast growth, risk assessment (e.g. dissemination, non target
insect species)
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200710
The context:the status in the EU in 2006 (3)
GM plants are a common lab tool for plant biologistsA few open-air field GM tree experiments in a few countries
presently or in the pastNo commercial release (i.e. no large scale application)
• neither presently
• nor foreseen
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200715
A statement in three parts:a 3-years process
ContextProcess
• A proposal for a Project Centre in 2004
• EFI discussion paper 12 (2005)
• Discussion at the Annual Conference 2005 in Barcelona
• Electronic forum in late 2005 (open to EFI associate
members)
• EFI SAB discussed the matter and advised the Board on the
issue in August 2006Statement
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200716
A statement in three parts:the statement itself (1)
ContextProcessStatement
• “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound
and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related
research is needed.”
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200717
A statement in three parts:the statement itself (2)
ContextProcessStatement
• “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound
and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related
research is needed. This research should:
• contribute to the maintenance and development of
autonomous multidisciplinary competences and expertise
in this field;”
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200718
A statement in three parts:the statement itself (3)
Context Process Statement
• “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and
unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is
needed. This research should:
• contribute to the maintenance and development of autonomous
multidisciplinary competences and expertise in this field;
• inform the policy process; however policy, regulation and
operational functions regarding GM trees should be the
responsibility of the relevant public authorities;”
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200719
A statement in three parts:the statement itself (4)
Context Process Statement
• “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and
unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is
needed. This research should:• contribute to the maintenance and development of autonomous
multidisciplinary competences and expertise in this field;• inform the policy process […]• explore alternative paths and options, and assess the various
technical, economic, social and ecological impacts, benefits,
costs and risks associated with GM trees.”
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200720
A statement in three parts:the statement itself (5)
ContextProcessStatement
• “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound
and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related
research is needed […]
• GM-tree related research should strictly comply with public
safety regulations. Forest research organizations involved in
such research should ensure that precautionary procedures
have been developed and published.”
EFI Annual Conference, 6 September 200721
A statement in three parts:the statement itself (6)
ContextProcessStatement
• “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound
and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related
research is needed […]
• GM-tree related research should strictly comply with public
safety regulations […]
• There is also a need for monitoring developments of
relevance to European forestry from all over the world.”