WWF CALLS FOR GLOBAL HALT TO RELEASE OF BIOTECH TREES
GLAND, Switzerland, November 12, 1999 (ENS) - Genetically modified (GM) trees are being planted without proper controls around the world, posing a serious threat to the global environment, reports the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
"World Wildlife Fund is calling on governments worldwide to declare a global moratorium on the commercial release of GM trees until enough research has been conducted and proper safeguards have been put in place," said Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, head of WWF's Forests for Life Program. "It is far too early to judge whether biotechnology can make a safe and effective contribution to the forest sector."
The altered species are being engineered for faster growth, resistance to pests, and an increase in wood fiber. But the new genes they bring could have unforeseen effects on the forest ecosystem, the conservation group claims.
There have been inadequate regulations and research into the environmental impact of GM trees, said WWF. Risks include the creation of new superweeds and the introduction of insect-resistant genes that could devastate insect populations vital to support forest life.
Since 1988, there have been 116 confirmed GM tree trials in 17 countries using 24 tree species, 75 percent of which are timber-producing species. Already GM versions of silver birch, Scots pine, Norway spruce, teak, apple and cherry have been released into the environment, according to WWF's research.
Sixty-one percent of all GM tree trials are carried out in the USA and Canada while France has the greatest number of GM tree trials in Europe. Recently, however, there has been a dramatic increase in both the number of GM tree trials worldwide and the tree species tested.
In its report, "GM Technology in the Forest Sector, the conservation organization warns that commercial GM tree production could begin within the next two years in Chile, China, and Indonesia, funded principally by private capital from industrialized nations.
The group is actively working towards a watertight and robust Biosafety Protocol within the Convention on Biodiversity that serves as the foremost international agreement on genetically modified organisms.
Current regulations impose restrictions in the industrialized countries where GM tree trials are usually controlled by research institutions and by governments. But, in Latin America, Africa and South East Asia, where there is often little or no regulation, GM tree trials are being driven by the private sector, notably those multi-nationals that wish to invest in genetically modified organisms but are restricted by regulations in developed countries, the WWF report said.
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World Wildlife Fund international access URL: http://www.wwf.org/
World Wildlife Fund US access URL: http://www.worldwildlife.org/
I could not locate the full report on the WWF website. Perhaps this newsclip is ahead of their posting it to the site. When I clicked on 'forests' on their index page, an error was generated. I notified their site administrator. It probably won't be fixed for a few days.
Kaleopono
WWF CALLS FOR GLOBAL HALT TO RELEASE OF BIOTECH TREES
GLAND, Switzerland, November 12, 1999 (ENS) - Genetically modified (GM) trees are being planted without proper controls around the world, posing a serious threat to the global environment, reports the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
"World Wildlife Fund is calling on governments worldwide to declare a global moratorium on the commercial release of GM trees until enough research has been conducted and proper safeguards have been put in place," said Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, head of WWF's Forests for Life Program. "It is far too early to judge whether biotechnology can make a safe and effective contribution to the forest sector."
The altered species are being engineered for faster growth, resistance to pests, and an increase in wood fiber. But the new genes they bring could have unforeseen effects on the forest ecosystem, the conservation group claims.
There have been inadequate regulations and research into the environmental impact of GM trees, said WWF. Risks include the creation of new superweeds and the introduction of insect-resistant genes that could devastate insect populations vital to support forest life.
Since 1988, there have been 116 confirmed GM tree trials in 17 countries using 24 tree species, 75 percent of which are timber-producing species. Already GM versions of silver birch, Scots pine, Norway spruce, teak, apple and cherry have been released into the environment, according to WWF's research.
Sixty-one percent of all GM tree trials are carried out in the USA and Canada while France has the greatest number of GM tree trials in Europe. Recently, however, there has been a dramatic increase in both the number of GM tree trials worldwide and the tree species tested.
In its report, "GM Technology in the Forest Sector, the conservation organization warns that commercial GM tree production could begin within the next two years in Chile, China, and Indonesia, funded principally by private capital from industrialized nations.
The group is actively working towards a watertight and robust Biosafety Protocol within the Convention on Biodiversity that serves as the foremost international agreement on genetically modified organisms.
Current regulations impose restrictions in the industrialized countries where GM tree trials are usually controlled by research institutions and by governments. But, in Latin America, Africa and South East Asia, where there is often little or no regulation, GM tree trials are being driven by the private sector, notably those multi-nationals that wish to invest in genetically modified organisms but are restricted by regulations in developed countries, the WWF report said.
__________
World Wildlife Fund international access URL: http://www.wwf.org/
World Wildlife Fund US access URL: http://www.worldwildlife.org/
I could not locate the full report on the WWF website. Perhaps this newsclip is ahead of their posting it to the site. When I clicked on 'forests' on their index page, an error was generated. I notified their site administrator. It probably won't be fixed for a few days.
Kaleopono
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