GROUP 2
Forest
Biotechnology
Breeding Technologies
Breeding technologies are described in this
section to differentiate them from the scope of
the Responsible Use:
Conventional Breeding
Asexual Propagation
Organogenesis
Somatic Embryogenesis
Marker Assisted Selection
Conventional Breeding
Purposeful breeding of trees involves
producing hybrids, progeny of parents
from different genetic populations, to
produce a desired phenotype.
This is an imprecise method of producing a
tree with a specific characteristic because
there is no control over additional genetic
material being incorporated along with the
desired phenotype.
Conventional Breeding
Asexual Propagation
Also referred to as clonal or vegetative
propagation, is in contrast to sexual
reproduction that requires fertilization
via pollen.
Asexual propagation produces
genetically identical trees and does occur
naturally by some tree species.
Asexual Propagation
Organogenesis
A type of asexual propagation that
literally means ‚organ genesis. It is
accomplished by growing a mass of cells
in tissue culture that have the ability to
produce shoots and grow into full trees.
Cells in a tree other than the pollen and egg
cells are called somatic cells. This technology-
intensive technique is used to rapidly
proliferate plant tissue via asexual
propagation that mimics steps of the normal
embryo development process.
Somatic Embryogenesis
Marker Assisted Selection
When researchers have enough information
about a tree genome, they can use molecular
markers to locate specific genes in a potential
seedlings at an embryonic stage.
These molecular markers are naturally in the
tree DNA, but they are not genes and they
don’t have a biological effect on the tree.
Marker Assisted Selection
These markers are easier to identify than
specific genes themselves. By serving as
constant landmarks in the genome, markers
give breeders the tremendous advantages of
speed and accuracy in their breeding program.
With this technology they are able to
determine.
Genetic Engineering Technologies
Genetic engineering is an advanced science in
which DNA sequences encoding for very
specific and desired traits are introduced into
the plant genome.
Genetic Engineering Technologies
Certain types of forest biotechnology require
the most immediate attention for principles to
guide their responsible use. Clonal
propagation of trees is not necessarily the
result of biotechnology.
Genetic Engineering Technologies
Conventional breeding techniques that
include various crossing and selection
methods can produce trees that can be
asexually propagated.
Society should focus its efforts on developing
principles for the truly advanced forest
biotechnologies rather than on trees that
were originally developed through
conventional breeding techniques.
The following are technologies that can
produce a biotech tree.
Altered Native Gene Function
Cisgenesis
Insertion of one or more novel genes from
plants that could not naturally cross
Insertion of one or more novel genes
from non-plants
Transgenes providing new
industrial applications
Not Genetic Engineering
(Mutagenesis)
Cisgenesis
Cisgenesis involves taging genes found in wild
relatives of the tree in which they are
inserted.
This technique can be used to produce trees
that have desirable attributes from other
trees.
Altered Native Gene Function
This technique does not insert a gene, so it
would not technically be considered
transgenic. Instead, a regulatory section of
DNA, often called a promoter, is inserted into
the gene of interest.
This technique can be used to increase the
growth of trees, control flowering, and modify
wood composition.
Insertion of one or more novel genes from
plants that could not naturally cross
These transgenes would not typically be found
in the normal gene pool for the tree in which
they are inserted.
This technique is being used to produce trees
that are resistant to disease, drought,
pesticides, and cold temperatures.
Insertion of one or more novel genes from
non-plants
These transgenes would not typically be found
in the normal gene pool for that tree and
come from organisms in a different kingdom.
Trees engineered to absorb pollutants from
the environment rely on these types of genes.
Transgenes providing new industrial
applications
These introduced genes can use any type of
transgenes mentioned above, but the end
result is a tree that has a novel use or
application. Usually the resulting tree is used
as a vector to produce material for industrial
applications and would not naturally occur.
This technology is on the very cutting edge of
forest biotechnology today.
Mutagenesis
Some new varieties of trees, such as new fruit
tree varieties, have been generated from the
selection of natural or induced mutations that
can alter color, smoothness, shape, and seed
characteristics. Mutated branches can be
asexually propagated to preserve and
maintain the new characteristic resulting from
the mutation.
Mutagenesis
Mutagenesis has multiple large impacts on
the plant genome that cause a pleiotrophic,
that are usually both positive and negative.
In short, mutagenesis is not a form of
targeted genetic engineering. It is a random
approach that alters a suite of genes in
unknown ways.
The Dialogue of Forest Biotechnology
Biotech trees will change future forests. There
are a number of ways that society can address
the appropriate use of this technology:
through laws and regulations, certification
programs, and industrial pledges.
Fill this gap in performance the Institute of
Forest Biotechnology has launched an
initiative that will create a set of principles for
stewardship of these trees.
The Dialogue of Forest Biotechnology
The Dialogue of Forest Biotechnology
In other words, the more gene function is
modified in a particular tree, the more likely
that tree will have different characteristics
from its native relatives.
There is a higher potential to produce trees
with characteristics that are different or
altered from native phenotypes as we
increase the amount of technology we apply.
Stewardship of Biotech Trees
There are various types of control imparted on
biotech trees by regulatory systems around
the world that are described generally in the
next section.
Rather than duplicate these systems, the
Responsible Use initiative will create a high
level of stewardship that is performance
based.
How biotech trees are controlled
There are four main levels of containment for
biotech trees to consider. Though there are
varying types of release control throughout
the world, we can think about the relative
control of biotech trees.
Control requirements typically start in the lab
under highly controlled environments like
greenhouses and then continue to outdoor
test plots with a high level of oversight. Finally,
some biotech trees are released to the open
environment without the requirement for any
control.
How biotech trees are controlled
The reason these four distinct levels exist is
based on both the need to study the
phenotypic aspects of growing trees, and the
potential for biotech trees to interact with the
natural environment. Each level has its own
unique aspects that are managed in different
ways.
How biotech trees are controlled
Level 1 – Confined to the lab or greenhouse
By confining early results of genetically
engineered trees to highly controlled
environments, there is almost zero chance
that any genetic introgressionwill occur with
trees in the natural environment.
Level 1 – Confined to the lab or greenhouse
This level of control allows scientists to
conduct research towards improving and
understanding the biology of trees without
the risk of affecting living systems outside of
the lab or greenhouse.
Level 2 – Field trials with oversight
The outside environment is highly dynamic
and can never be perfectly replicated in the
lab.
The spatial and temporal distribution of
biotech trees is tightly controlled in field tests
in the United States, although other countries
may require different levels of specific
oversight.
Level 2 – Field trials with oversight
This level of control allows researchers to
grow more trees, usually to an older age, in
real-world conditions to test the performance
of the trees and the efficacy of the inserted
DNA sequences.
In most cases this level requires that each
biotech tree planted in the field be managed
and tracked according to a specific plan
established by the regulating authorities.
Level 3 – Released for planting with
monitoring requirements
While there are a number of specific details
based on the regulatory system and the
biotech tree itself, this level of control is less
restrictive on the spatial and temporal range
of the tree.
Level 3 – Released for planting with
monitoring requirements
It is possible that a regulatory agency could
allow release on the condition that certain
aspects of trees and plantings are monitored
for potential environmental risks.
Level 4- Released for planting without
monitoring requirements
At this level, a biotech tree is treated no
differently than any other planted tree, and
there is no requirement for monitoring
or regulatory oversight.
Level 4- Released for planting without
monitoring requirements
To date, there are only two biotech trees at
this level in the world today: virus resistant
papaya (United States) (Zakour, 1998), and
insect tolerant poplar (China).
Another tree, the plum pox virus resistant
plum (United States) is awaiting approval from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for
release at this level at the time of printing
(Scorza, 2009).
Risks and benefits of using biotech trees
Biotechnology is a powerful tool.
Humans have had the ability to change living
organisms for thousands of years and have
had to reckon with consequences ever since
they began breeding and translocating plants.
Forest biotechnologies that modify genetic
operations are no exception.
Risks and benefits of using biotech trees
To date, biotech tree work has focused on
either environmental or economic benefits.
The difficulties make it very costly and time
consuming to make even minor adjustments
in trees.
Potential benefits of using biotech trees
Enhance bio-based products
Combat invasive threats
Maximize forest productivity
Replenish indigenous people‚ forest
resources
Potential risks of using biotech trees
Gene flow and introgression
Exceptional fitness
Effects on non-target species
Biodiversity effects
Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology
Principles
The following Principles are in recognition that
responsibly used biotech trees have the
potential to benefit society, the environment,
economies, and cultures in ways that other
trees cannot.
Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology
Principles
• Biotech trees will benefit people, the
environment, or both
• Risks or benefit of biotech trees will be
assessed
• Transparency is important - stakeholders will
be engaged
• Social equity and indigenous rights are
important and will be respected
• Biotech trees use must follow regulations of
the appropriate country
The Responsible Use initiative will help protect
the future of our forests. In addition to the
principles above, this initiative is grounded in
basic truths about forests and biotechnology:
Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology
Principles
• Forests are important to people
• Biotechnology is a powerful tool
• Biotech trees have the potential for unique
and diverse applications
• Biotech trees are being planted around the
world
• Oversight of biotech trees is different around
the world
Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology
Principles
The framework of the Responsible Use
initiative builds on these real-world realities
with principles that provide a guiding sense of
the requirements and obligations of using
biotech trees responsibly.
Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology
Principles
These principles are in recognition that
responsibly used biotech trees have the
potential to benefit society, the environment,
economies, and cultures in ways that other
trees cannot. Having a process that is
transparent and inclusive of a wide range of
perspectives is critical to determine what is
responsible and based on science.
Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology
Principles
Society Demands Sustainability
We need sustainably managed trees for
communication, packaging, housing, food, and
renewable energy. Currently the world does
not have enough sustainably managed forests
to fill all these needs.
Forest biotechnology can be a powerful tool
against these threats.
Society Demands Sustainability
The future of our forests cannot be protected
through inaction.
Scope of Responsible Use
• Establish practices that can be used to
complement certification schemes or
regulatory programs
• Create teaching material to educate young
students – society‚ future forest stewards
• Evolve with the science of biotechnology,
societal demands on trees, and sustainable
resource management techniques
Scope of Responsible Use
It is critical to keep Responsible Use practical
and inexpensive to implement so it can be
used extensively throughout the world.
Because of this strict requirement,
Responsible Use is not a certification
mechanism.
Through numerous discussions with
stakeholders we have delineated 10 discrete
steps of the value chain. Each of these steps
will include one or more verifiable practice to
help guide biotech tree use, as described
below.
Scope of Responsible Use
Steps of the Value Chain
1. Product Conception
2. Lab Research
3. Evaluation Research
4. Approval to Sell
5. Biotech Tree Purchase
6. Growth, Use, and Transfer
7. Harvest, End of Life
8. Sale or Purchase of Products
9. Product Use
10. Product Disposal or By-product Resale
Forest Biotechnology
Forest Biotechnology

Forest Biotechnology

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Breeding Technologies Breeding technologiesare described in this section to differentiate them from the scope of the Responsible Use: Conventional Breeding Asexual Propagation Organogenesis Somatic Embryogenesis Marker Assisted Selection
  • 3.
    Conventional Breeding Purposeful breedingof trees involves producing hybrids, progeny of parents from different genetic populations, to produce a desired phenotype. This is an imprecise method of producing a tree with a specific characteristic because there is no control over additional genetic material being incorporated along with the desired phenotype.
  • 4.
  • 5.
    Asexual Propagation Also referredto as clonal or vegetative propagation, is in contrast to sexual reproduction that requires fertilization via pollen. Asexual propagation produces genetically identical trees and does occur naturally by some tree species.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    Organogenesis A type ofasexual propagation that literally means ‚organ genesis. It is accomplished by growing a mass of cells in tissue culture that have the ability to produce shoots and grow into full trees.
  • 8.
    Cells in atree other than the pollen and egg cells are called somatic cells. This technology- intensive technique is used to rapidly proliferate plant tissue via asexual propagation that mimics steps of the normal embryo development process. Somatic Embryogenesis
  • 9.
    Marker Assisted Selection Whenresearchers have enough information about a tree genome, they can use molecular markers to locate specific genes in a potential seedlings at an embryonic stage. These molecular markers are naturally in the tree DNA, but they are not genes and they don’t have a biological effect on the tree.
  • 10.
    Marker Assisted Selection Thesemarkers are easier to identify than specific genes themselves. By serving as constant landmarks in the genome, markers give breeders the tremendous advantages of speed and accuracy in their breeding program. With this technology they are able to determine.
  • 11.
    Genetic Engineering Technologies Geneticengineering is an advanced science in which DNA sequences encoding for very specific and desired traits are introduced into the plant genome.
  • 12.
    Genetic Engineering Technologies Certaintypes of forest biotechnology require the most immediate attention for principles to guide their responsible use. Clonal propagation of trees is not necessarily the result of biotechnology.
  • 13.
    Genetic Engineering Technologies Conventionalbreeding techniques that include various crossing and selection methods can produce trees that can be asexually propagated. Society should focus its efforts on developing principles for the truly advanced forest biotechnologies rather than on trees that were originally developed through conventional breeding techniques.
  • 14.
    The following aretechnologies that can produce a biotech tree. Altered Native Gene Function Cisgenesis Insertion of one or more novel genes from plants that could not naturally cross Insertion of one or more novel genes from non-plants Transgenes providing new industrial applications Not Genetic Engineering (Mutagenesis)
  • 15.
    Cisgenesis Cisgenesis involves taginggenes found in wild relatives of the tree in which they are inserted. This technique can be used to produce trees that have desirable attributes from other trees.
  • 16.
    Altered Native GeneFunction This technique does not insert a gene, so it would not technically be considered transgenic. Instead, a regulatory section of DNA, often called a promoter, is inserted into the gene of interest. This technique can be used to increase the growth of trees, control flowering, and modify wood composition.
  • 17.
    Insertion of oneor more novel genes from plants that could not naturally cross These transgenes would not typically be found in the normal gene pool for the tree in which they are inserted. This technique is being used to produce trees that are resistant to disease, drought, pesticides, and cold temperatures.
  • 18.
    Insertion of oneor more novel genes from non-plants These transgenes would not typically be found in the normal gene pool for that tree and come from organisms in a different kingdom. Trees engineered to absorb pollutants from the environment rely on these types of genes.
  • 19.
    Transgenes providing newindustrial applications These introduced genes can use any type of transgenes mentioned above, but the end result is a tree that has a novel use or application. Usually the resulting tree is used as a vector to produce material for industrial applications and would not naturally occur. This technology is on the very cutting edge of forest biotechnology today.
  • 20.
    Mutagenesis Some new varietiesof trees, such as new fruit tree varieties, have been generated from the selection of natural or induced mutations that can alter color, smoothness, shape, and seed characteristics. Mutated branches can be asexually propagated to preserve and maintain the new characteristic resulting from the mutation.
  • 21.
    Mutagenesis Mutagenesis has multiplelarge impacts on the plant genome that cause a pleiotrophic, that are usually both positive and negative. In short, mutagenesis is not a form of targeted genetic engineering. It is a random approach that alters a suite of genes in unknown ways.
  • 22.
    The Dialogue ofForest Biotechnology Biotech trees will change future forests. There are a number of ways that society can address the appropriate use of this technology: through laws and regulations, certification programs, and industrial pledges. Fill this gap in performance the Institute of Forest Biotechnology has launched an initiative that will create a set of principles for stewardship of these trees.
  • 23.
    The Dialogue ofForest Biotechnology
  • 24.
    The Dialogue ofForest Biotechnology In other words, the more gene function is modified in a particular tree, the more likely that tree will have different characteristics from its native relatives. There is a higher potential to produce trees with characteristics that are different or altered from native phenotypes as we increase the amount of technology we apply.
  • 25.
    Stewardship of BiotechTrees There are various types of control imparted on biotech trees by regulatory systems around the world that are described generally in the next section. Rather than duplicate these systems, the Responsible Use initiative will create a high level of stewardship that is performance based.
  • 26.
    How biotech treesare controlled There are four main levels of containment for biotech trees to consider. Though there are varying types of release control throughout the world, we can think about the relative control of biotech trees.
  • 27.
    Control requirements typicallystart in the lab under highly controlled environments like greenhouses and then continue to outdoor test plots with a high level of oversight. Finally, some biotech trees are released to the open environment without the requirement for any control. How biotech trees are controlled
  • 28.
    The reason thesefour distinct levels exist is based on both the need to study the phenotypic aspects of growing trees, and the potential for biotech trees to interact with the natural environment. Each level has its own unique aspects that are managed in different ways. How biotech trees are controlled
  • 29.
    Level 1 –Confined to the lab or greenhouse By confining early results of genetically engineered trees to highly controlled environments, there is almost zero chance that any genetic introgressionwill occur with trees in the natural environment.
  • 30.
    Level 1 –Confined to the lab or greenhouse This level of control allows scientists to conduct research towards improving and understanding the biology of trees without the risk of affecting living systems outside of the lab or greenhouse.
  • 31.
    Level 2 –Field trials with oversight The outside environment is highly dynamic and can never be perfectly replicated in the lab. The spatial and temporal distribution of biotech trees is tightly controlled in field tests in the United States, although other countries may require different levels of specific oversight.
  • 32.
    Level 2 –Field trials with oversight This level of control allows researchers to grow more trees, usually to an older age, in real-world conditions to test the performance of the trees and the efficacy of the inserted DNA sequences. In most cases this level requires that each biotech tree planted in the field be managed and tracked according to a specific plan established by the regulating authorities.
  • 33.
    Level 3 –Released for planting with monitoring requirements While there are a number of specific details based on the regulatory system and the biotech tree itself, this level of control is less restrictive on the spatial and temporal range of the tree.
  • 34.
    Level 3 –Released for planting with monitoring requirements It is possible that a regulatory agency could allow release on the condition that certain aspects of trees and plantings are monitored for potential environmental risks.
  • 35.
    Level 4- Releasedfor planting without monitoring requirements At this level, a biotech tree is treated no differently than any other planted tree, and there is no requirement for monitoring or regulatory oversight.
  • 36.
    Level 4- Releasedfor planting without monitoring requirements To date, there are only two biotech trees at this level in the world today: virus resistant papaya (United States) (Zakour, 1998), and insect tolerant poplar (China). Another tree, the plum pox virus resistant plum (United States) is awaiting approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for release at this level at the time of printing (Scorza, 2009).
  • 37.
    Risks and benefitsof using biotech trees Biotechnology is a powerful tool. Humans have had the ability to change living organisms for thousands of years and have had to reckon with consequences ever since they began breeding and translocating plants. Forest biotechnologies that modify genetic operations are no exception.
  • 38.
    Risks and benefitsof using biotech trees To date, biotech tree work has focused on either environmental or economic benefits. The difficulties make it very costly and time consuming to make even minor adjustments in trees.
  • 39.
    Potential benefits ofusing biotech trees Enhance bio-based products Combat invasive threats Maximize forest productivity Replenish indigenous people‚ forest resources
  • 40.
    Potential risks ofusing biotech trees Gene flow and introgression Exceptional fitness Effects on non-target species Biodiversity effects
  • 41.
    Responsible Use: ForestBiotechnology Principles The following Principles are in recognition that responsibly used biotech trees have the potential to benefit society, the environment, economies, and cultures in ways that other trees cannot.
  • 42.
    Responsible Use: ForestBiotechnology Principles • Biotech trees will benefit people, the environment, or both • Risks or benefit of biotech trees will be assessed • Transparency is important - stakeholders will be engaged • Social equity and indigenous rights are important and will be respected • Biotech trees use must follow regulations of the appropriate country
  • 43.
    The Responsible Useinitiative will help protect the future of our forests. In addition to the principles above, this initiative is grounded in basic truths about forests and biotechnology: Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology Principles
  • 44.
    • Forests areimportant to people • Biotechnology is a powerful tool • Biotech trees have the potential for unique and diverse applications • Biotech trees are being planted around the world • Oversight of biotech trees is different around the world Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology Principles
  • 45.
    The framework ofthe Responsible Use initiative builds on these real-world realities with principles that provide a guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of using biotech trees responsibly. Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology Principles
  • 46.
    These principles arein recognition that responsibly used biotech trees have the potential to benefit society, the environment, economies, and cultures in ways that other trees cannot. Having a process that is transparent and inclusive of a wide range of perspectives is critical to determine what is responsible and based on science. Responsible Use: Forest Biotechnology Principles
  • 47.
    Society Demands Sustainability Weneed sustainably managed trees for communication, packaging, housing, food, and renewable energy. Currently the world does not have enough sustainably managed forests to fill all these needs. Forest biotechnology can be a powerful tool against these threats.
  • 48.
    Society Demands Sustainability Thefuture of our forests cannot be protected through inaction.
  • 49.
    Scope of ResponsibleUse • Establish practices that can be used to complement certification schemes or regulatory programs • Create teaching material to educate young students – society‚ future forest stewards • Evolve with the science of biotechnology, societal demands on trees, and sustainable resource management techniques
  • 50.
    Scope of ResponsibleUse It is critical to keep Responsible Use practical and inexpensive to implement so it can be used extensively throughout the world. Because of this strict requirement, Responsible Use is not a certification mechanism.
  • 51.
    Through numerous discussionswith stakeholders we have delineated 10 discrete steps of the value chain. Each of these steps will include one or more verifiable practice to help guide biotech tree use, as described below. Scope of Responsible Use
  • 52.
    Steps of theValue Chain 1. Product Conception 2. Lab Research 3. Evaluation Research 4. Approval to Sell 5. Biotech Tree Purchase 6. Growth, Use, and Transfer 7. Harvest, End of Life 8. Sale or Purchase of Products 9. Product Use 10. Product Disposal or By-product Resale