WWF-UK: GM trees threaten the global environment
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GM trees threaten the global environment
Tuesday 9 November 1999
Genetically modified tree trials are rapidly increasing in number around the world without proper controls, says a new report by WWF. The trials pose a serious risk to the global environment and, the report concludes, commercial production of GM trees is likely to happen in Latin America and Asia - despite inadequate research into their environmental impacts.
The report highlights the serious threat of genetic pollution: pine pollen, for example, can travel up to 600 kilometres (see map below). GM trees are also long living, increasing the likelihood of genetic pollution and the risk of harmful impacts on the forest ecosystem. So far there have been five GM tree trials in the UK, all of which have failed to consider the environmental impacts on soil, water and wildlife.
WWF is calling on the British government to reduce the risk of genetic pollution, and for environmental impact assessments to be conducted before any commercial release of GM trees.
"Once the GM genie is out of the bottle there is no going back" warned Francis Sullivan, WWF's Director of Programmes. "This technology must only be used if we are confident that it will not have a negative impact on forests and the wildlife and people they support."
Since 1988 there have been at least 116 GM tree trials involving 24 species in 17 countries. The late 1990s have seen a huge increase in both the number of GM trials and species tested. In the last three years the number of tree trials has doubled, with 44 new trials in 1998 alone. GM trees are likely to make their commercial debut in Chile, China and Indonesia.
Among the risks posed by GM tree technology are:
The possible instability of an introduced gene which may have unintended side effects on the tree and forest eco-system;
The engineering of GM trees with a competitive advantage, which could create super-weeds;
Trees engineered for sterility would support far less biodiversity;
GM trees engineered for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance may have unintended impacts on non-target species.
The remote location of many tree crops also makes them more difficult to monitor and increases the chances of genetic pollution because they are often located near natural forests.
"It is far too early to judge whether biotechnology can make a safe and effective contribution to the forest sector" said Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, Director of the Forests Programme at WWF International. "Governments must declare a moratorium on the commercial release of GM trees until enough research has been conducted and proper safeguards put in place."
WWF is recommending :
A global moratorium on the commercial release of GM tree species;
Strengthened regulations for field testing to examine the long-term environmental impact of GM tree species;
An open public debate on the future of GM tree technology;
A watertight and robust protocol within the Convention on Biodiversity that serves as the foremost international agreement on GMOs; and
A comprehensive programme of research on which credible decisions can be based.
(Click here)***gm.pdf
to download a copy of the WWF report GM technology in the forest sector. An executive summary of this report is also available: (click here)***gmsummary.pdf to download a copy.
WWF is calling on the British government to reduce the risk of genetic pollution, and for environmental impact assessments to be conducted before any commercial release of GM trees.
"Once the GM genie is out of the bottle there is no going back" warned Francis Sullivan, WWF's Director of Programmes. "This technology must only be used if we are confident that it will not have a negative impact on forests and the wildlife and people they support."
Since 1988 there have been at least 116 GM tree trials involving 24 species in 17 countries. The late 1990s have seen a huge increase in both the number of GM trials and species tested. In the last three years the number of tree trials has doubled, with 44 new trials in 1998 alone. GM trees are likely to make their commercial debut in Chile, China and Indonesia.
Among the risks posed by GM tree technology are:
The possible instability of an introduced gene which may have unintended side effects on the tree and forest eco-system;
The engineering of GM trees with a competitive advantage, which could create super-weeds;
Trees engineered for sterility would support far less biodiversity;
GM trees engineered for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance may have unintended impacts on non-target species.
The remote location of many tree crops also makes them more difficult to monitor and increases the chances of genetic pollution because they are often located near natural forests.
"It is far too early to judge whether biotechnology can make a safe and effective contribution to the forest sector" said Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, Director of the Forests Programme at WWF International. "Governments must declare a moratorium on the commercial release of GM trees until enough research has been conducted and proper safeguards put in place."
WWF is recommending :
A global moratorium on the commercial release of GM tree species;
Strengthened regulations for field testing to examine the long-term environmental impact of GM tree species;
An open public debate on the future of GM tree technology;
A watertight and robust protocol within the Convention on Biodiversity that serves as the foremost international agreement on GMOs; and
A comprehensive programme of research on which credible decisions can be based.
(Click here)***gm.pdf
to download a copy of the WWF report GM technology in the forest sector. An executive summary of this report is also available: (click here)***gmsummary.pdf to download a copy.
