Scientists appear to have the technical capability to bring back a tree that we humans had almost driven to extinction — the American chestnut. Should they be given the go-ahead to do so?
In 2020, the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Program at the State University of New York-College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) in Syracuse, under the direction of Dr. William Powell, submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to deregulate a genetically engineered American chestnut variety known as Darling 58 for unrestricted planting.
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The public comment period ending in September 2021 resulted in about 63% favorable responses (34% against, 3% neutral), a virtually unheard of level of support for a genetically modified organism.
It’s thought the EPA’s Environmental Impact Statement process and the FDA’s evaluation of possible health issues associated with large-scale planting of the tree should be nearing completion by now. A ruling is expected sometime this year.
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Dr. Powell says, “We call this a century project. To get [the eastern forests] to look even somewhat like it did before the blight is going to take centuries. It’s for the next generation — it’s planting a tree you’ll never enjoy the shade of.”
