françois houllier item 4 efi position on research related to gm trees annual conference of efi 2007
TRANSCRIPT
François Houllier
Item 4EFI Position on research related to GM trees
Annual Conference of EFI 2007
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 20073
A statement in three parts
Context
Process
Statement
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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;”
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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;”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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Thank you for your attentionDiscussion is welcome