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 Allegheny reports, critics think genetically-engineered chestnuts could adversely damage the ecosystem and lead to a slippery slope of other GMO approvals.
This segment aired on November 23, 2020.
It is insane to threaten our forests across the country by introducing genetically-modified trees.
GMO seeds evolve from generation to generation with unpredictable outcomes and often displace natural plants or animals. We have seen the process as native plants are moved from their native habitat to new ecosystems. In California the Australian Eucalyptus displaced native trees and burn more flammably than our redwoods. It is incredibly irresponsible to propose to put any GMO inopen lands.