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Perilous Modification of the American Chestnut Tree: We cannot forget the lessons taken from Monsanto’s Bollgard failure
Background Information: The US government is considering whether to allow a genetically modified (GM) version of the American chestnut tree, called Darling 58, to be grown in the wild. The creators of Darling 58, citing conservation of the species, hope to win the...
The Wild American Chestnut Is On Its Way Back
The Wild American Chestnut Is On Its Way Back This article, written by Anne Petermann and Steve Taylor, originally appeared in the Spring 2023 edition of Heartwood community's biannual newsletter Heartbeat. By Anne Petermann and Steve Taylor MAINE – On his land in...
Perspective Magazine Examines Falsehoods Behind Engineering Trees For Profit
Perspective Magazine examines Falsehoods Behind Engineering Trees for Profit A March 15 2023 Perspective article by Wade Graham examines how the the tree-planting carbon offset market, which is worth billions and a key component of net-zero strategies, is based on...
PRESS RELEASE: Results from USDA’s Latest Public Comment Period on the GE American Chestnut Tree
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/7/2023 The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published their draft Environmental Impact Statement and draft Plant Pest...
New York Times: The first GE Trees have been planted in a U.S. Forest
New York Times: For the First Time, Genetically Modified Trees Have Been Planted in a U.S. Forest Summary of Article: On Monday February 13, 2023, nearly 5,000 GE trees were planted in a U.S. Forest. The modified poplars, planted in Georgia on private land, were...
Indigenous Environmental Network’s Comments to the USDA
The Indigenous Environmental Network "convenes local, regional and national meetings on environmental and economic justice issues, and provides support, resources and referral to Indigenous communities and youth throughout primarily North America – and in recent years...
Friend of the Earth, U.S. Comments to the USDA
Originally Posted January 13, 2023 Friends of the Earth, U.S. submits the following attachment representing 21,159 Friends of the Earth supporters. Friends of the Earth supporters strongly urge the USDA to reject the unrestricted planting of genetically engineered...
GE chestnut trees underperform against phytophthora, a root rot
GE chestnut trees underperform against phytophthora, a root rot The Capital Press article mentioned below reviews two approaches to reviving the American Chestnut tree, hybridization and genetic engineering. It notes that genetic engineering is not a silver bullet and...
Wrench in the Gears discusses the Roots of the GE Chestnut Tree
who is funding the transgenic American chestnut and why? In the following pages an attempt will be made to, first, briefly set the record straight that the American chestnut never actually disappeared and there is no urgent impending emergency justifying the use of genetic engineering. And second, to discuss the money and broader agendas of the individuals and organizations behind the development of the transgenic chestnut tree more at length.
Pacifica Radio Feature on Dangers of GE Chestnut
Stop the release of genetically engineered trees into wild forests across the eastern US.
Canadian Chestnut Council Submits Comments Against GE American Chestnut
The Canadian Chestnut Council expresses its opposition to the release of the GE American chestnut in North America which will irreversibly damage the surviving wild American chestnut population in Canada
This Holiday Season: A Gift for the Forests – The Wild American Chestnut is on its Way Back!
Note: tell the USDA genetically engineered trees are a bad idea and must not be released into the wild with the intention of spreading freely. Deadline extended to 1/26/23 Comment at: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/APHIS-2020-0030-8291 The wild American...
“Fixing” Trees With Genetic Engineering
GE trees – touted as a high-tech fix for ecosystem and climate woes – are poised to create a treadmill of profitable problems 30 November 2022 Source: Watershed Sentinel by Lucy Sharratt The promise of a simple technological fix is compelling. Whether it is world...
Op-Ed: Expert Challenges USDA Plan to Allow Release of GE Trees in Wild Forests
That new chestnut? USDA wants to allow the release of GE trees into wild By Environmental Historian Dr. Donald Davis https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3747170-that-new-chestnut-usda-plans-to-allow-the-release-of-ge-trees-into-wild-forests/ The USDA is...
Release: USDA’s Short Holiday Season Comment Period on GE American Chestnut Denounced
Groups demand USDA extend public comment period on proposal to release Genetically Engineered American Chestnut trees into forests.
Action Alert: Comments needed to stop release of GE trees into wild forests!
Submit comments to help stop the unrestricted planting of genetically engineered (GE) American chestnut trees in wild forests.
131 Groups Call on FSC to Uphold GE Trees Prohibition
131 environmental and social justice groups from 34 countries, including 10 FSC members, are calling on FSC to continue prohibiting the use of genetically engineered trees and to refrain from engaging with field experiments. Click here for the full list of signatories...
GE Trees Will Never Be Sustainable
Trading in Forest Stewardship? 10 October 2022 Source: Counterpunch by Lucy Sharratt Forest Stewardship Council prepares to facilitate the global release of GE trees The release of genetically engineered (GE or genetically modified) trees is closer than it has ever...
93 Groups Call on FSC to Uphold GE Trees Prohibition
More than 90 environmental and social justice groups from 28 countries are calling on the Fores Stewardship Council to continue prohibiting the use of genetically engineered trees and to refrain from engaging with field experiments. Please see the full list of...
Experts Sound Alarm Over ‘Growing Threat’ of Genetically Engineered Trees
"Development of genetically engineered trees is advancing despite the serious risks to our forests and continued opposition around the world," said one advocate. Source: Common Dreams, September 28, 2022 A report published Wednesday exposes the "growing threat" of...