Chile - WRM information sheet on GE tree research

1 August 2008

First posted: 1 August 2008
Last update: August 2014

Tree species being manipulated:

Aim of genetic manipulation

resistance to pine shoot moth (Ryacionia buoliana) (2)
resistance to the pitch canker fungus (Fusarium circinatum) in pines (5)
resistance to fungus (Mycosphaerella) that attacks Eucalyptus leaves (6)
faster growth (eucalyptus) (1)
higher cellulose content in wood (Eucalyptus globulus) (2) – second generation biofuels (10)
increased resistance to cold (Eucalyptus globulus) (7)
more efficient water consumption and resistance to drought in eucalyptus (10)

Those carrying out the research:

GenFor: a joint venture between Cellfor (Canada), Interlink (USA) and Fundación Chile (2)
Consorcio Genómica Forestal S.A (operates in the University of Concepción’s Biotechnology Centre in the Bio Bio Region) (2)
VitroGen S.A. (7)

Those who provide support to research:

INFOR - Forestry Institute (part of the Ministry of Agriculture) ()
Fundación Chile (Chile Foundation), supported by the Chile government and BHP Billiton (9)
Universities of Concepción (2), Austral (8) and Frontera (6)
Bioforest (controlled by Bosques Arauco) (8).
Forestal Arauco supports the Consorcio Genómica Florestal (2, 11)
Forestal Mininco supports the Consorcio Genómico Florestal (2, 11)
CEFOR (empresa de la Universidad Austral) (9)
CORMA (6)
DEMEGEN Inc (6)

Regulatory framework for research and field trials:

An Advisory Committee on the Release of GMOs (Comisión Asesora de Liberación de Transgénicos - CALT), headed by the Agricultural Service (SAG), establishes the biosecurity requirements for transgenic crops in Chile (3)

Organizations opposing GE trees:

Sources:

Countries: Chile

Languages: