The Campaign to Stop GE Trees
Genetically engineered trees pose risks of contaminating forests, damaging ecosystems and harming communities
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Organizations Demand FSC Stop Genetically Engineered Tree Risks to Forests
Español abajo, Portugués abajo For Immediate Release Organizations Globally Demand Forest Stewardship Council Protect Forests from Genetically Engineered Trees New York, 15 December 2021–The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), one of the world’s largest forest...
Global Demand to FSC: Protect Forests from Genetically Engineered Trees
This December 14 2021 sign on letter to the Forest Stewardship Council demands they reject proposals to endorse field tests of genetically engineered (GE) trees. It further demands the FSC disassociate itself from any GE tree research activities and continue to...
New Book on American Chestnut Looks at Consequences of GE Trees
A new book from the University of Georgia Press, The American Chestnut, An Environmental History by Donald Edward Davis is seen as the most comprehensive treatment of the history of the American Chestnut written to date as it looks at forest ecology, anthropological...
The goal of the campaign is to protect native forests, and to defend the rights of forest dependent communities and Indigenous Peoples from the unknown and irreversible risks of releasing genetically engineered (GE) trees.
WHAT ARE GE TREES?
Trees are being genetically engineered for traits such as faster growth, and disease resistance.
GE TREE NEWS
Catch up on recent news, events, articles and education resources about GE trees.
TAKE ACTION
It’s time to mobilize! You can help end the threat of genetically engineered trees.
GE TREES RESOURCES
Arm yourself with information about GE Trees (also called GM Trees)
Sign the Petition
Add your name to stop US government approval of the widespread release of genetically engineered (GE or genetically modified) American chestnut trees into our forests. The risks are huge.
If approved, these GE trees will spread their pollen and seeds freely. This would be the first GE forest tree released in the US, opening the floodgates to others.
It would also be the first-ever intentional release of a fertile genetically modified organism (GMO) into wild ecosystems, opening the door to other uncontrollable GMO releases.
Engineers think they can (re) create nature in the lab, but neither trees nor any species can be replaced by with GE facsimiles. Decades of progress to restore wild American chestnut trees would be lost. This is not restoration, but a dangerous open-air experiment.
There are no long-term risk assessments of this plan and scientists warn such assessments are not possible. American chestnuts can live hundreds of years and have deeply intertwined relationships with other trees, and with insects, songbirds and other wildlife.
Join individuals and organizations across the world in demanding the rejection of genetically engineered trees. We cannot allow this kind of dangerous experimentation with our forests.