GE American Chestnut
White Paper, News and Resources to Take Action
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White paper details issues & concerns of the GE American Chestnut
You can also read the Executive Summary
In addition to The Campaign to STOP GE Trees, Biofuelwatch and Global Justice Ecology Project, the network of groups collaborating to prevent the regulatory approval of GE trees in North America includes Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Indigenous Environmental Network, Rural Coalition and Shawnee Forest Defense.
For more information or to help stop the release of GE trees into the environment, please contact theresa2@globaljusticeecology.org.
News & Analysis
Efforts To Genetically Engineer American Chestnut Trees Draw Controversy
The majestic American chestnut was once common in forests in the eastern U.S., but a blight has killed billions of these giant trees. Researchers are moving forward with genetically-modified trees that will survive the blight. But as Julie Grant of The...
Read Our Comments Opposing Deregulation of Darling 58 American Chestnut
On October 19, 2020 the initial public comment period by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the petition for deregulation of Darling 58 genetically engineered (GE or genetically modified) American Chestnut closed. Historically, there has been strong...
Release: Public Comment on Darling 58 American Chestnut Closes
For Immediate Release: 10/20/2020 Public Comment on Darling 58 American Chestnut Closes Groups Across North America Oppose Release of Genetically Engineered Trees New York- On Oct. 19th the initial public comment period by the United States Department of Agriculture...
For Immediate Release: Environmental Groups Representing Millions Oppose Request to Allow Planting of Genetically Engineered Trees in Forests as USDA Opens Public Comment Period
For Immediate Release 10 September 2020 New York–On 18 August the long-awaited public comment period regarding possible deregulation of the genetically engineered (GE) American chestnut tree opened. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving the public until...
The Enviro Show Interviews Anne Petermann & Rachel Smolker
Greetings Earthlings. Perhaps you're familiar with the plight of the American Chestnut tree? It's a long sad tale and it may get even sadder soon. Dr. Rachel Smolker and Anne Petermann of the Campaign to STOP GE Trees join us to see the forest for the trees during...
A Rude Awakening On KPFA Interviews Dr. Rachel Smolker
Dr. Rachel Smolker discusses the request for USDA approval of genetically engineered (GE) American chestnut trees into wild forests with Sabrina Jacobs, host of A Rude Awakening on KPFA.
Former TACF chapter president says no to GE Chestnuts and yes to real forests
Lois Breault-Melican, former president of the Rhode Island American Chestnut Foundation explains why she and her husband, Denis, resigned in protest over current plans to seed natural forests with genetically engineered (GE) American Chestnuts. Lois explains how TACF...
EcoRI News Interviews Members of Stop GE Trees Campaign
The following article includes excerpts from Grace Kelly's interviews with Lois & Denis Melican, former members of MA/RI Chapter board of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), and Anne Petermann, Executive Director of Global Justice Ecology Project. Infighting...
Researchers Working To Replace Nature One GMO At A Time
Medium 27 July 2020 Theresa Church The University of New England (UNE) is partnering with SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (ESF) to develop the first ever genetically engineered (GE) forest tree for release into the wild. UNE has a request pending...
Bangor Daily New Publishes Op Ed on GE American Chestnut
Genetically engineered trees do not belong in our forests Bangor Daily News 19 July 2020 Theresa Church The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a rare interlude to evaluate the notion of business as usual. It has exposed mounting flaws and inequalities as a result of the...
Genetically Modified Chestnuts Imperil Forests
On Saturday 7 July 2020, The Scranton Times Tribune ran an op ed by Anne Petermann, International Coordinator for the Campaign to STOP Genetically Engineered Trees titled Genetically Modified Chestnuts Imperil Forests. The following is Peterman’s submission to the...
In Reconsidering ‘Normalcy’ Genetically Engineered Trees Do Not Belong
Mom's Across America 10 July 2020 Theresa Church The global pandemic of Covid-19 has challenged the notion of business as usual and exposed a systemic crisis rooted in capitalism and the neoliberal economic model. The pandemic has proliferated in unpredictable...
We Respond: Letter Published in New York Times Challenges Support for GE Trees
Global Justice Ecology Project, which coordinates the Campaign to STOP GE Trees, submitted the letter below to the New York Times Magazine–it was published in its print edition on Sunday, May 17th. The letter was submitted in response to a piece written by Gabriel...
NY Times Magazine Promotes GE Trees – We Set the Record Straight
By Anne Petermann, Executive Director, Global Justice Ecology Project An article printed in today’s New York Times Magazine, “Can Genetic Engineering Bring Back the American Chestnut?” by Gabriel Popkin, is a disappointing piece of questionable journalism. In this...
The Washington Post Runs Article on the American Chestnut
Blight wiped out the American chestnut. Parallel efforts are close to bringing it back. The Washington Post December 18, 2019 Adrian Higgins It is hard to overstate the value and cultural importance of the American chestnut tree for those who came before us. The...
Genetically Engineered American Chestnut Tree: A Risk Not Worth Taking
Moms Across America November 23, 2019 Theresa Church and Ruddy Turnstone While the season of “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is upon us, the public comment period for the genetically engineered American chestnut (GE AC) is imminent. The request to commercialize...
Response to Pacific Standard article promoting GE American Chestnut Trees
American chestnut tree in Vermont. Photo: Petermann A Controversial Tree? For Good Reason A Response to the article “The Most Controversial Tree in the World” by Rowan Jacobsen printed in the Pacific Standard By Anne Petermann In re-reading the July 24 article, “The...
In These Times Article on the Risks of Genetically Engineered American Chestnut
GJEP Co-Founder Orin Langelle with wild American chestnut tree. Langelle is also a Steering Committee member of the Campaign to STOP GE Trees. Photo: Petermann The GMO American Chestnut: Restoration of a Beloved Species or Biotech Trojan Horse? In These Times 16...