A report by Chris Lang. Published by World Rainforest Movement and Friends of the Earth International, December 2004.
Contents
Genetically modified trees: a step forward . . . in the wrong direction
By Ricardo Carrere and Simone Lovera
1. Introduction
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What is genetic modification?
The origins of GM trees
2. Unravelling the lies: Why GM trees don’t make sense
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1. Faster growing GM trees will not help take pressure off native forests
2. GM trees cannot help reverse climate change
3. Genetically modifying trees for reduced lignin is no solution to pulp mill pollution
4. Insect-resistant GM trees will not lead to reduced pesticide use
5. Herbicide-tolerant GM trees will not lead to reduced herbicide use
6. GM trees will not clean up not clean up pollution
7. Risks of genetic pollution
8. GM elm trees are no solution to Dutch elm disease
9. Do GM trees make economic sense?
10. Do scientists know what they are doing? And should we trust them?
3. A web of actors: Some of the research institutions and companies involved
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International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO)
ArborGen, US
Horizon2, New Zealand
GenFor, Chile
Aracruz Cellulose, Brazil
Nippon Paper Industries, Japan
Oji Paper, Japan
Tree Genomics, Biotechnology and Breeding Programme, Oregon State University, US
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US
North Carolina State University, US
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
Forest Research, New Zealand
Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing
Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford University, England
4. Legislation, regulation and market forces
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Convention on Biodiversity (Cartagena Protocol)
World Trade Organisation (SPS Agreement)
Some GMO legislation from around the world
Forestry certification and GM trees
5. Resistance is fertile: Protests against GM trees
chrislang.org 