GM Trees
Climate Change
and its methods
Our Thoughts Agenda Stakeholders
Concerns Promises

Climate
Change

The Effects

United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change

“stabilize greenhouse gas
concentrations at levels that would
prevent dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system”

The
Kyoto
Protocol

One Step Further

Participation in the Kyoto Protocol
Signed and Ratified Signed (and hope to ratify) Signed but Not Ratified

Going Beyond

CO
2

80%

420,000

World Carbon Dioxide Emissions
10,000
7,500
Million Metric Tons
Projected
5,000
2,500
0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
EE/FSU Developing Countries
Indistrialized Countries Total Source: Dept. of Energy, USA

Oceans are the
Forests are the second largest.
world’s largest carbon sinks.

1 = 150-200
2
acre Tons of CO
(every 40 years)

More
Trees

Please

Genetically
Modified
Trees

The Origins
Mid-18th century in Europe
Supported by pulp & paper industry
First trial was in 1988
Government + Private Industry

Conventional
GM Tree
Tree

The Process
Identify and
isolate gene
Insert new
gene into
plant cell Field
Testing
Conduct
tests
Link
transgene to
other DNA
Grow multiple
generations
Grow plant
from the cell

Vector Technique

Electroporation
Increase permeability of the
cell plasma
Pores are then formed
across a plasma membrane
Exact voltage is crucial
Inserting foreign genes in
tissue cultures

Regulations in the U.S.
1986 Coordinated Framework for
APHIS
the Regulation of Biotechnology
(Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)
1992 Policy on Planned
USDA
Introductions of Biotechnology
(U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Products into the Environment

Regulations in the U.S.
“no significant or unreasonable
adverse risks”

Regulations outside the U.S.
Canadian Food
Inspection Agency
Canadian Forest
Service
Permits only if
there is zero risk
Plant Protection Act
Risk Scale to the
Assessment environment
Seed Act
Low High
Degree of Regulation

Forest Biotech
Industry Companies
General The
Governments
Public Stakeholders
Environmental
Regulatory
Groups &
Agencies
Activists

Rapid Bio-diversity &
Growth Conservation
Reduce Pressure Promises
Desired Traits
on Native Forests of GM Trees
Economic &
Clean Pollutants
Financial
and Toxins
Benefits

3x
faster growth

2x
faster maturity

“all of the world’s
timber production
could potentially
be produced on an
area roughly five
to ten percent of
the total forest
today”

American Chestnut Tree,
almost became extinct

Silviculture Adaptability Wood Quality
Growth Rate Drought Tolerance Wood Density
Nutrient Uptake Cold Tolerance Lignin Reduction
Crown/Stem Insect Resistance Lignin Extraction
Flowering Control Fungal Resistance Juvenile Fiber
Herbicide Branching

80
Hg 200.59

10x
compared to natural trees

Biotech Innovations Cost Savings
Wood density gene Improved lumber strength
Reduce herbicide and weeding
Herbicide tolerance gene
costs by 45%
Reduce digester cost by
Improve tree fiber
$10 per cubic meter.
Increase value by $15 per cubic
Reduce juvenile wood
meter. More usable wood.
Reduce pulping costs of
Reduce lignin
$15 by cubic meter.

36%
increase in demand for wood

Low-lignin
Gene Escape
Trees
Concerns
Monetary Pest “Control”
of GM Trees
Social Sterility

Low lignin ain’t that good
after all...

Show me
the money!

ECONOMY ENVIRONMENT

ECONOMY
ENVIRONMENT

Climate Change
is a ticking time bomb

Plant
More
Trees

A
Valid
Prescription

Regulations

Research &
Development

Old Habits + New Technology = Altered Consequences

New Habits + New Technology = Positive Consequences

Projections of Surface Temperature

Changes in Carbon Dioxide and Temperature

Changes in Carbon Dioxide and Temperature