Forest biotechnology: Present status and future applications

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Forest biotechnology Present status and future
applications

• Toby Bradshaw
• College of Forest Resources and Botany Department
• University of Washington
• toby_at_u.washington.edu
• http//faculty.washington.edu/toby

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What is a GMO?

• Genetically Modified Organism
• Asexual gene (DNA) transfer (genetic
  engineering/GE)
• Unlimited gene pool
• Research tool
• Pharmaceuticals (e.g., human insulin)
• Crops (e.g., Roundup Ready soy, Bt corn)
• Livestock? (no commercial release yet)
• Fish? (no commercial release yet)
• Forest trees? (no commercial release yet)

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Gene transfer (transformation)
Transgenic plant

• Typical traits engineered into transgenic crops
• Herbicide resistance (e.g., Roundup Ready)
• Insect resistance (Bt toxin)
• Vitamin A (golden rice)
• Fruit firmness (Flavr Savr tomato)

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Gene transfer in hybrid poplar
Photo courtesy of Rick Meilan, Tree Genetic
Engineering Research Cooperative
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Why genetically engineer forest trees?

• Basic research to discover how trees work, and
  which genes are responsible for the unique
  biological features of trees
• Increase wood yield and quality by accelerating
  progress in applied tree breeding for plantation
  forests
• Improve environmental quality by restoring
  endangered tree species (chestnut, elm) and by
  using GE trees for phytoremediation of toxic waste

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Traits being genetically engineered in forest
trees

• Gene traps to discover genes involved in tree
  growth and development

Photo courtesy of Andrew Groover, Institute of
Forest Genetics
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Traits being genetically engineered in forest
trees

• Herbicide resistance (weed control)
• Insect resistance (leaf beetle, budworm)

Transgenic
Non-transgenic
Photos courtesy of Rick Meilan, Tree Genetic
Engineering Research Cooperative
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Traits being genetically engineered in forest
trees

• Lignin reduction (reduced chemical use, waste,
  and energy consumption in pulping)
• Reproductive sterility (prevention of transgene
  escape)

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Traits being genetically engineered in forest
trees

• Phytoremediation (removal of toxic wastes)
• Disease resistance (chestnut blight, Dutch elm
  disease)

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Traits of the future

• Growth/yield (wood, fiber, renewable energy)
• Wood quality (strength, stiffness, straightness,
  few knots)
• Tolerance of cold, drought, salt
• Novel photosynthetic pathways
• Self-pulping wood
• Farmaceuticals
• Industrial chemical feedstocks
• DOMESTICATION

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From the ELF communiquè

• "Bradshaw, the driving force in G.E. tree
  research, continues to unleash mutant genes into
  the environment that is sic certain to cause
  irreversible harm to forest ecosystems. As long
  as universities continue to pursue this reckless
  'science, ' they run the risk of suffering severe
  losses. Our message remains clear, we are
  determined to stop genetic engineering."

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From the ELF FAQ

• The ELF targets have included such issues as
  deforestation (for human development of roadways,
  for luxurious living and/or recreation areas, for
  profit by selling or using trees, etc.), urban
  sprawl, genetic engineering, natural habitat and
  ecosystem destruction, the use of slave labor by
  corporations and more.

Setting Fires With Electrical Timers - An Earth
Liberation Front Guide
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Who opposes tree genetic engineering research?

• Earth Liberation Front You cannot control what
  is wild.
• Greenpeace moratorium on all field research with
  transgenic plants
• Forest Stewardship Council denies certification
  to entities conducting field research on
  transgenic trees

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US National Research Council/National Academy of
Sciences position on GE and conventional plant
breeding

• The same physical and biological laws govern the
  response of organisms modified by modern
  molecular and cellular methods and those produced
  by classical methods.

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US National Research Council/National Academy of
Sciences position on GE and conventional plant
breeding

• The focus should be on
• PRODUCT,
• not PROCESS

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From the ELF FAQ

• Capitalism as a target is not easily
  identifiable due to it being an ideology rather
  than a physical object. But forms and symbols of
  capitalism can be targeted successfully the
  list is endless but could include such symbols in
  the U.S. as Mt. Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty,
  Disney, Wall Street, etc.