A technique originally used to piece together the DNA of extinct animals lies at the heart of a powerful new technology for tackling the $23 billion trade in illegal timber.
A lot of timber sold with the famous Forest Stewardship Council sustainability logo breaks the FSC's rules, warns the Center for International Forestry Research, based in Bogor, Indonesia. DNA might offer a better way to establish the source of wood.
"Tree DNA is still present in tables, chairs, floors, decking and even guitars ? but as the wood has been kiln-dried and treated with chemicals, the DNA is like a messed-up jigsaw puzzle," says Andrew Lowe, chief scientific officer of DoubleHelix in Singapore. Like fragmented DNA from mammoths and other animals trapped in permafrost, however, wood DNA can
Calling DNA "nature's barcode", DoubleHelix aims to set up genetic checkpoints where timber source paperwork can be verified throughout the supply chain. DNA databases will allow the timber's true origin to be pinpointed with ever-greater accuracy.
Timber traces
At an international forestry conference in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, this week, the company ? together with the International Timber Trade Organization (ITTO) ? will unveil a genetic map of commercially logged tree species from the Congo river basin. The map will allow the DNA of timber traded from the region to be cross-checked against customs declarations.
The technique could be used to stop illegal wood products entering western markets. US law was amended in 2008 to impose stringent penalties for illegally trading timber, and similar legislation is due to come into force in Europe in 2013.
DoubleHelix's DNA fingerprinting has already successfully matched genetic samples from felled tree stumps with processed wood leaving a sawmill. For degraded or fragmented DNA, a technique called polymerase chain reaction allows multiple copies to be made, which a computer can then match against a template of the sequenced genome for the tree species.
Checking corruption
Some forestry campaigners are enthusiastic. "DNA technology has the potential to play an important role in curbing illegal logging and the illicit trade in stolen timber," says Julian Newman, campaigns director of the Environmental Investigation Agency in London.
Others are more cautious. "This sounds like a positive development," says Fiona Napier, associate director of London-based environmental and human rights campaigning body Global Witness, which has worked against illegal logging. "But it is worth remembering that any tracking system is only as good as the people running it. You need to tackle corruption and bad governance to prevent forest destruction rather than simply relying on technical solutions."
It's not all bad news in the world's woodlands. The area of tropical forests that is sustainably managed is on the rise, according to a recent report by the ITTO.
If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.
Have your say
Only subscribers may leave comments on this article. Please log in.
Only personal subscribers may leave comments on this article
Subscribe now to comment.
All comments should respect the New Scientist House Rules. If you think a particular comment breaks these rules then please use the "Report" link in that comment to report it to us.
If you are having a technical problem posting a comment, please contact technical support.
transfer deadline edu district 9 district 9 how to draw how to draw sinead o connor
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.