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Abstract:The forest sector in British Columbia (BC) has faced a number of challenges over the past decade. In response to some of those challenges, the government has invested in forest genomic tools. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a biotechnological tool that flags desired traits on the genome. This tool may assist tree breeders with the early selection of preferred genotypes, reducing the breeding cycle and more accurately and efficiently selecting for improved qualities. However, there is a poor understanding of the perceived acceptability of implementing MAS. Semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were employed across participants categorized into four groups. It was found that government and industry participants held positive perceptions towards MAS, supporting its use and continued research in BC, and identifying its benefits in forest regeneration and to tree breeders. Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and First Nations attitudes lay between neutral and negative. Concerns were most strongly focused on environmental impacts, ecosystem degradation, and reduced genetic diversity, while identified benefits were specific to tree breeders and improved tree resiliency. It was concluded that before MAS can be successfully implemented, an appropriate setting must first be established through improved knowledge of biotechnology and its applications, well-defined policies, and strengthened engagement and consultation with First Nations.

The forest industry is a major player in the provincial economy, provides a significant contribution to government revenue, and accounts for 3% of British Columbia' s GDP. However, with the reduction of housing starts in the US in 2006, the economic crisis of 2008, a steady decline in newsprint demand, and the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic, the provincial and federal governments have searched for ways to help transform the forest industry through innovation, improved environmental performance, and new markets. One such investment has been in marker-assisted selection (MAS), which is a genomic-based biotechnological tool that allows desired traits to be flagged on the genome. Since MAS is a new genomic tool to the forest industry, it is necessary to survey silviculture stakeholders in BC on their perception of this resource to tree breeders, its perceived use, and the context for which it should be implemented. If it is a tool whose implementation is perceived positively, it would significantly reduce the cycle of the tree breeding process, as it allows for the early selection of genotypic traits. Moreover, it would allow tree breeders to more efficiently and accurately select for improved wood qualities, growth rates, and resistance to pests, diseases, and climate change.Keywords: marker-assisted selection, perception, social perception, genomics, biotechnology, forestry résumé L'industrie forestière est un secteur important de l' économie provinciale, représente une source significative de revenus gouvernementaux et totalise 3% du PIB de la Colombie-Britannique. Cependant, suite au déclin du nombre de mises en chantier de maison aux États-Unis en 2006, suite à la crise économique de 2008, suite à une diminution constante de la demande de papier journal et à cause de l' épidémie de dendroctone du pin, les gouvernements provincial et fédéral ont cherché des moyens d'aider à transformer l'industrie forestière par des innovations, par l'amélioration de la performance environnementale et de nouveaux marchés. L'un de ces moyens a été la sélection à l'aide de marqueur (SAM), un outil biotechnologique basé sur la génomique qui permet d'identifier dans le génome des caractéristiques désirées. Compte tenu que la SAM est un nouvel outil génomique dans le milieu de l'industrie forestière, il faut effectuer un sondage auprès des intervenants en sylviculture de la C.-B. pour pouvoir décrire leur perception de cet outil auprès des pépiniéristes, son utilisation envisagée et le contexte selon lequel elle pourrait être implantée. S'il s'agit d'un outil dont l'implantation est perçue positivement, cela permettrait de raccourcir significativement le cycle du processus d'amélioration génétique, compte tenu qu'il permet une sélection hâtive des caractéristiques génotypiques. De plus, cela permettrait aux pépin-iéristes de choisir avec plus d' efficacité et de précision des spécimens démontrant des qualités ligneuses, des taux de croissance et de résistance aux ravageurs, aux maladies et aux changements climatiques plus inté...

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