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The Bioengineered Forest: Challenges for Science and Society book cover

1st Edition

The Bioengineered Forest Challenges for Science and Society

Edited By Steven H. Strauss Copyright 2004

    Bioengineering offers many opportunities for forestry. Bioengineered trees can produce more valuable wood, help reclaim contaminated land, improve the health of urban trees, and facilitate pest management. But the ecological risks are complex, and public views about the ethical acceptability of genetic engineering vary widely. Unique in its breadth and diversity, The Bioengineered Forest begins with a survey of the range of forestry practices for which the use of biotechnologies might be appropriate. Scholars representing diverse academic perspectives and viewpoints examine in depth the economic and environmental rationale for forest biotechnologies and the current state of technology with respect to gene performance and safety. They consider the contemporary political and economic environment in which bioengineering is being introduced and where the 'genomic revolution' might take forestry and genetic engineering in the future. The Bioengineered Forest presents compelling arguments in favor of genetic engineering. Just as powerfully, it examines the significant technical and legal hurdles involved in genetic engineering, the undesirable environmental and social consequences that might result from its misapplication, and the risks for businesses that are looking too exclusively for near-term benefits.

    Preface Acknowledgments Contributors PART I Economic and Technological Choices 1. Future Forests: Environmental and Social Contexts for Forest Biotechnologies Hal Salwasser 2. Biotechnology and the Forest Products Industry Alan A. Lucier, Maud Hinchee, and Rex B. McCullough 3. Biotechnology and the Global Wood Supply Roger A. Sedjo 4. Accomplishments and Challenges in Genetic Engineering of Forest Trees Rick Meilan, Dave Ellis, Gilles Pilate, Amy M. Brunner, and Jeff Skinner 5. Exotic Pines and Eucalypts: Perspectives on Risks of Transgenic Plantations Rowland D. Burdon and Christian Walter 6. Tree Biotechnology in the Twenty-First Century: Transforming Trees in the Light of Comparative Genomics Steven H. Strauss and Amy M. Brunner PART II Ethical, Social, and Ecological Caveats 7. The Ethics of Molecular Silviculture Paul B. Thompson 8. Will the Marketplace See the Sustainable Forest for the Transgenic Trees? Don S. Doering 9. Environmental and Social Aspects of the Intensive Plantation/Reserve Debate Sharon T. Friedman and Susan Charnley 10. Have You Got a License for That Tree? (And Can You Afford to Use It?) Nancy S. Bryson, Steven P. Quarles, and Richard J. Mannix 11. Invasiveness of Transgenic versus Exotic Plant Species: How Useful Is the Analogy? James F. Hancock and Karen Hokanson 12. Potential Impacts of Genetically Modified Trees on Biodiversit of Forestry Plantations: A Global Perspective Brian Johnson and Keith Kirby 13. Transgenic Resistance in Short-Rotation Plantation Trees: Benefits, Risks, Integration with Multiple Tactics, and the Need to Balance the Scales Kenneth F. Raffa Index

    Biography

    Steven H. Strauss is a professor of molecular and cellular biology and genetics in the Department of Forestry and the director of the Tree Genetic Engineering Research Cooperative at Oregon State University. H.D. Bradshaw is a professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington. Among the journals in which his research has appeared are Tree Physiology, Nature Biotechnology, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, and Phytopathy.

    'A 'must-read' for anyone dealing with or contemplating the use of bioengineered forests.' Choice 'Presents a compelling and realistic assessment of the current state of tree genetic engineering technology and the challenges it must successfully address before becoming widely implemented. . . . Its authors include many of the lead scientists in the field, who present wide-ranging scientific, ethical, ecological, and environmental views.' Journal of Agribusiness 'The Bioengineered Forest represents viewpoints from proponents, neutrals, and opponents of forest biotechnology, giving the reader a clear idea of the various points of view. . . It will be useful to a variety of people interested in forest biotechnology including researchers, policymakers, activists, managers, and the general public.' William A. Powell, SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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