A report published Wednesday exposes the “growing threat” of genetically engineered tree development around the world, with researchers urging a leading forest product certification body to maintain its longstanding ban on genetic modification.
“The convenience of trees that can survive glyphosate will likely result in the use of more glyphosate, more often.”
“The global release of genetically engineered (GE or genetically modified) trees is closer than it has ever been,” states the report, assembled by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) and the Campaign to STOP GE Trees. “This advancement is a significant concern because the release of GE trees would pose serious threats to forests and other ecosystems, as well as to many local communities and Indigenous peoples. The environmental impacts could be irreversible.”
The report documents the status of GE tree development worldwide to identify where the risk of GE tree use on plantations or release into the wild is most immediate. It comes ahead of the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) general assembly from October 9-14 in Bali, Indonesia.
Read the entire article at Common Dreams