Workshop: Landscapes, Genomics and Transgenic Conifer Forests, Durham, NC, November 17-19, 2004

转基因针叶树的商业使用目前正在进行中，田间试验集中在美国南部。反对的范围从要求暂停种植到威胁生态恐怖主义。随着基因组学继续提供可用于基因改造的基因发现，这种紧张只会加剧。同样，政策的进步也没有技术进步那么快。默认情况下，美国的农业政策涵盖森林管理，但很少有决策者清楚转基因森林与转基因粮食作物之间的诸多差异。为了找到共同利益的解决方案，需要平衡、开放的对话。杜克大学2004年尼古拉斯学校论坛将就美国森林的遗传组成展开对话。与会者将确定森林基因组组合、生态系统界面、土地所有者、法规和社区视角的新问题。该论坛吸引了科学作家、生物技术公司和木材公司的员工、非政府活动人士、学生、大学教职员工、州和联邦政府官员以及林农的包容性参与。著名的国际演讲者将拓宽对这一区域和国家问题的看法。论坛组织者克莱尔·威廉姆斯和她的同事们将完成一本名为《景观、基因组和转基因针叶林》的编辑卷，该卷将于2005年夏天由克鲁沃-斯普林格出版社出版。我们的转基因针叶树参与式论坛旨在推动美国和其他国家的类似活动。

Commercial use of genetically modified conifers is now underway with field trials concentrated in the southern United States. Opposition has ranged from requests for a planting moratorium to threats of ecoterrorism. This tension will only grow as genomics continues to provide gene discovery available for genetic modification. Similarly, policy has not progressed as fast as technology. By default, agricultural policies cover forest management in the US yet few decision makers are clear about the many ways in which genetically modified forests deviate from GM food crops. Balanced, open dialogue is needed to find common-interest solutions.The 2004 Nicholas School Forum at Duke University will open dialogue about genetic composition of US forests. Attendees will identify emerging issues for forest genomics portfolios, ecosystem interface, landowners, regulations and community perspective. The forum has attracted inclusive participation by science writers, employees of biotechnology firms and timber corporations, non-government activists, students, university faculty, state and federal government officials and foresters. Eminent international speakers will broaden perspective on this regional and national issue. Forum organizer Claire Williams and her colleagues will complete an edited volume entitled 'Landscapes, Genomics and Transgenic Conifer Forests' to be published by Kluwer-Springer by summer 2005. Our participatory forum on genetically modified conifers is designed to catalyze similar venues in the US and other countries.