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Biotechnology Meetings |
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Genetically Engineered Forest and Fruit Trees Public Meeting |
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On July 8-9, 2003, APHIS held a public meeting to discuss issues related to genetically engineered forest and fruit trees in Riverdale, MD. The workshop provided a forum for discussion of the state-of-the-science of genetically engineered forest and fruit trees and began dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders on the possible criteria used to determine environmental safety and potential benefits and risks of these plants relative to traditional varieties. Participants included representatives from universities, other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry and the press.
Summary of Discussions from Breakout Sessions
Papers Presented
- Forestry/ timber: Genetic engineering of forest trees:
Goals, benefits and safety. Dr. Steve Strauss, Oregon State University - Community and Ecosystem Consequences of Transgenics:
The Importance of Quantifying the Extended Phenotype. Dr. Thomas Whitham, Northern Arizona University - Fruit and Nut trees: Genetic engineering of fruit and nut trees:
Progress and prospects. Dr. Herb Aldwinckle, Cornell University
- Benefits and Risks of Genetically Engineered Trees:
Perspective from the Pacific Northwest tree fruit industry. Dr. James McFerson, Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission
Open Forum and Written Comments
Written Comments
Industry Comments
Dr. David Glass, Applied Phytogenetics Inc
Dr. Les Pearson, ArborGen LLC
Dr. William F. Goure, Mendel Biotechnology Inc
Ms. Rachel Lattimore, Arent Fox PLLC
Non Governmental Organization Comments
Mr. Herbert F. Darling, The American Chestnut Foundation
Dr. Alan Lucier, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement
Dr. Robert Kellison, Institute of Forest Biotechnology
Mr. Peter Jenkins, International Center for Technology Assessment
Dr. Jim Diamond, Sierra Club
Dr. Michael Fernandez, PEW Institute on Food and Biotechnology
University Comments
Dr. Charles Maynard, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Dr. John Davis, University of Florida, Forest Resources and Conservation
Dr. Richard Meilan, Oregon State University
Dr. Scott Merkle, University of Georgia
Dr. William Powell, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Dr. Ron Sederoff, North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry
Federal Government Comments
Dr. Jay Kitzmiller, USDA Forest Service
Dr. Dana Nelson, USDA Forest Service
Dr. Paul Zambino, USDA Forest Service
Dr. Floyd Bridgewater, USDA Forest Service
Dr. Andrew Groover, USDA Forest Service
Oral Comments
Ms. Aubrey Baldwin, International Center for Technology Assessment
Dr. Alan Lucier, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement
Ms. Susan McCord, Institute of Forest Biotechnology
Dr. Neil Carman, Sierra Club
Dr. Maud Hinchee, ArborGen LLC
Dr. William Powell, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Dr. Ron Sederoff, North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry
Dr. Charles Maynard, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Dr. Richard Meilan, Oregon State University
Dr. Scott Merkle, University of Georgia
Mr. Jim Cranney, U.S. Apple Association
Ms. Rachel Lattimore, Arent Fox PLLC
Survey of Meeting Attendees
Seventy six people attended this meeting, representating USDA APHIS, US EPA, USDA ARS, industry, universities, environmental organizations, trade groups, and the media. Two surveys were included, one on the meeting itself, and a second on usefulness of specific tree characters for evaluating the safety of a genetically engineered tree for release into the environment.
