Adaptive Physiology As we are all aware, there has been substantial technical development over the last decade with respect to cloning forest trees with advanced tissue culture techniques, as well as the development of genetically modified trees (i.e., transgenic trees). Cloning techniques, such as simple grafting, go back far in our history, but with current tissue culture techniques in conifers, such as somatic embyrogenesis, genetic transformation using recombinant DNA technology is also possible. Although there is substantial controversy, the commercial use of GM trees on crown land is not yet possible, or allowed.
Federal regulations on the release of GM Trees, and the Province of B.C.'s policy on the use of GM trees, currently does not allow deployment on Crown Lands. Although our research program utilizes many components of biotechnology (i.e., molecular genetics, vegetative propagation and experimentation with somatic embryogenisis) they only support the traditional breeding approach of recurrent selection. Moreover, it is not clear at this time if the economics and social acceptance of genetically modified trees will ever be such that they could be fully integrated into the breeding programs in B.C. It is a large and difficult question being debated by many countries and agencies; however, the technology is being developed and is being used in other countries. For some further information on general issues and the role of biotechnology, four documents relevant to the application of biotechnology in B.C., and elsewhere, are:
Contact
Alvin Yanchuk, Forest Genetics Section
Ministry contact:
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