Search

This chapter introduces the specific biological and ecological elements of trees that need to be considered in the risk assessment of GM (genetically modified) trees, and the basics of environmental risk assessment. Trees have perennial growth habits with long lifespan, and many pathways for dispersal of propagules. Moreover, trees are often key species in ecosystems, they are present from temperate to tropical climates and have complex and multi-level interactions with other organisms. The possible environmental impacts of GM trees are discussed, and examples of scenarios where the GM trees may disperse and have environmental impacts are given. The chapter describes different environmental risk assessment frameworks. The basics of any risk assessment are hazard identification, estimation of potential consequences, estimation of the likelihood of these consequences to occur, estimation of the overall risk and deciding about risk management measures. Carrying out risk assessment usually includes a problem formulation step, definition of assessment endpoints from the broad protection goals and identification of those attributes that will be measured (measurement endpoints). As examples the EFSA guidance on risk assessment of GM plants and the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol guidance of GM trees are described. Moreover, both the comparative and per se risk assessment approaches are discussed.

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action FP0905 is aimed at evaluating the scientifi c knowledge of genetically modifi ed trees (GMT) related to biosafety protocols and coordinating existing and new information from various European countries. This will help to provide a basis for future EU policy and regulation recommendations regarding the use of GM forest trees. The COST Action FP0905 started the 12th of April 2010 and it will end the 11th of April 2014. Actually, 27 COST countries have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Seven NON-COST countries are also involved in the Action. The main objective of the COST Action is to evaluate the scientific knowledge relevant for GMT biosafety protocols by putting together already existing information generated in various European and Non-EU countries as basis for future EU policy and regulation for the environmental impact assessment and the safe development and use of GMTs. To reach its objective, the Action work plan is organized in 4 Working Groups (WGs). [br/] WG1 has launched the building of a database that gather the current knowledge on fi eld trials and greenhouse experiments with transgenic trees. The expected outcome is to develop a clear factual overview of the status of GMTs in European and non-European countries. WG2 is launching and moving through expert-based surveys to: 1) evaluate the environmental impacts of GMTs, 2) assess the effi ciency of existing transgene containment strategies, and 3) investigate effective pre- and post-market monitoring techniques. WG3 is conducting two types of surveys to understand the kind of policies needed to meet the concerns of the society in relation to the use of GMTs. Through WG4 fi nally, accurate and science-based information is being communicated through a website including an open discussion forum to educate the general public on technical, socio-economic and environmental aspects of GM forest trees.

Transgenic biotechnology can assist forest tree improvement programs but it may also raise environmental safety concerns. The environmental effects of genetically modified transgenic trees (GMTs) have been studied in many countries during the last 15 years. Today there is an urgent need of putting together this scattered knowledge to build-up a European knowledge platform for addressing GMTs in plantations. The main aims of Working Group 2 (WG2) of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action FP0905 "Biosafety of transgenic forest trees" (http://www.cost-action-fp0905.eu/) are (1) to discuss, based on scientific facts, whether current containment strategies are appropriate or need to be improved for GMTs, (2) to define a common protocol to track the transgene from the laboratory to the final product, and (3) to assess the possible impacts of GMTs on the environment. The potential risks of GMTs, the fate of recombinant material and the potential relevance of recombinant genes on plant´s omics are other main aspects to be considered and compared to similar processes with endogenous genes in conventional breeding. The group involves experts from public research, government and independent regulatory sectors across COST and non-COST member countries. The activities of this group have been organized into three Task Groups focusing on (1) risk assessment studies and guidance documents, (2) the monitoring of the transgenes and recombinant plant material, and (3) the impact of GMTs on exposed ecosystems. As a first step of WG2 activity, a database of guidance documents from national and transnational sources dealing with impacts and risk assessments of GMTs is being created to identify common and case-specific issues on biosafety. It is expected that the information gained will facilitate (1) a science-based understanding of the impacts of GMTs on the environment in comparison with that of traditionally tree breeding, and (2) future socio-economic and cost/benefits analyses of GMTs in plantations.