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The 20-year environmental safety record of GM trees

Nature Biotechnology volume 28, pages 656–658 (2010)Cite this article

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To the Editor:

In a commentary last May, Strauss et al.1 pointed out that opposition to genetically modified (GM) organisms has recently intensified on GM trees and that recommendations of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have encouraged regulatory impediments to undertaking field research. We concur with Strauss et al. that the CBD appears to be increasingly targeted by activist groups whose opinions are in stark contrast to the scientific consensus and indeed the opinions of most respected scientific and environmental organizations worldwide. Strauss et al. call for more science-based (case-by-case) evaluation of the value and environmental safety of GM trees, which requires field trials. However, the regulatory impediments being erected by governments around the world, with full corroboration of the COP, are making such testing so costly and Byzantine, it is now almost impossible to undertake field trials on GM trees in most countries. Here we summarize the key published evidence relating to the main environmental concerns surrounding the release of GM trees (Box 1). On the basis of our findings, we urge the COP to consider the opportunity costs for environmental and social benefits, and not just risks, in its deliberations of field trials and releases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scion Biomaterials, Rotorua, New Zealand

    Christian Walter

  2. vTI, Institute for Forest Genetics, D-22927, Grosshansdorf, Germany

    Matthias Fladung

  3. Department of Plant Systems, VIB and the Department of Plant Biotechnology and Genetics, Technologiepark 927, 9052

    Wout Boerjan

  4. Ghent University, Gent, Belgium

    Wout Boerjan

Authors
  1. Christian Walter
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  2. Matthias Fladung
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  3. Wout Boerjan
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Correspondence to Christian Walter, Matthias Fladung or Wout Boerjan.

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Walter, C., Fladung, M. & Boerjan, W. The 20-year environmental safety record of GM trees. Nat Biotechnol 28, 656–658 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0710-656

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