Ottawa, Canada
March 20, 2006
The
Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) has not developed a
position on genetic techniques to restrict the reproduction of
plants. This science is in its infancy and it is impossible to
comment on specific applications.
However, this technology does have
the potential to create useful tools for agriculture.
Particularly, GURTs may facilitate the development of new
high-value products for the industry. For instance, the
inclusion of traits useful in the production of pharmaceuticals
and industrial polymers could create valuable new markets for
crops. Yet, these new products must be kept completly out of the
conventional food stream and GURTs could facilitate this. GURTs
hold the promise of solving issues of gene flow and volunteer
management in mainstream crop production as well.
As a result, the CSTA believes any
calls for moratoriums on this research are inappropriate and
premature. The CSTA feels research should proceed and debate
occur on implementing any such technologies based on the
specifics of how they will operate and the context for their
use. |