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

转基因针叶树的商业应用目前正在进行中，田间试验集中在美国南部。反对意见从要求暂停种植到生态恐怖主义的威胁。随着基因组学继续为基因改造提供基因发现，这种紧张关系只会越来越大。同样，政策的发展也没有技术那么快。在美国，农业政策默认涵盖森林管理，但很少有决策者清楚转基因森林与转基因粮食作物的许多不同之处。需要平衡、公开的对话来找到共同利益的解决方案。2004年在杜克大学举行的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学组合，生态系统界面，土地所有者，法规和社区观点的新问题。论坛吸引了科学作家、生物技术公司和木材公司的雇员、非政府活动家、学生、大学教师、州和联邦政府官员以及林业工作者的广泛参与。知名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将完成一个编辑卷题为“景观，基因组学和转基因针叶林”将出版的Kluwer-Springer在2005年夏天。我们关于转基因针叶树的参与性论坛旨在促进美国和其他国家的类似场所。

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.