Organizations against genetically engineered (GE) trees are working across four continents to call for an end to the scientific manipulation that they say damages the environment, infringes upon the rights of indigenous people, and has negative consequences for the health of people, flora and fauna.
“We don’t want what will harm our environment, nature that sustains us. The birds, the bees — everything is interconnected,” said BJ McManama, Seneca, an organizer for the Minneapolis-based Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN).
IEN is a member of the Steering Committee of the international Campaign to STOP GE Trees. These organizations have formed an international network calling for trees to be preserved in their natural state.
One company on STOP GE Trees’ radar is ArborGen Inc., a tree biotech company based in South Carolina. ArborGen sells “conventional and next generational” seedlings of forest trees that have been genetically engineered to enhance certain traits and speed up growth.
“Planting highly productive trees that can address these needs are one of the solutions that also helps enable the conservation of our natural resources,” Cathy O. Quinn, the communications and public affairs manager for ArborGen. “Along with this, climate changes demand solutions to the stress facing trees today, including drought and pests. For instance, after the decimation of the American chestnut by chestnut blight, this technology offers great hope in the possible restoration of this tree to the U.S.”
This technology has been tested on dozens of species, including a host of fruit and forest tree species, she said.
But, the social landscape, which plays a role in the debate, is different in the cases of two pending GE applications: for eucalyptus trees in the U.S. and Brazil and the American chestnut in Northeastern forests.
Read full, original article: Genetically Engineered Trees: An Environmental Savior Or A Dangerous Money-Making Scheme?
