Sunday, February 19, 2023

Genetically Modified Trees Planted in U.S. Forest for First Time. Really!

This is probably one of the worst reasons why genetically modified trees ought to planted!

"On Monday [2/13/2023?], in a low-lying tract of southern Georgia’s pine belt, a half-dozen workers planted row upon row of twig-like poplar trees.
These weren’t just any trees, though: Some of the seedlings being nestled into the soggy soil had been genetically engineered to grow wood at turbocharged rates while slurping up carbon dioxide from the air.
The poplars may be the first genetically modified trees planted in the United States outside of a research trial or a commercial fruit orchard. Just as the introduction of the Flavr Savr tomato in 1994 introduced a new industry of genetically modified food crops, the tree planters on Monday hope to transform forestry. ..."

Genetically Modified Trees Planted in U.S. Forest for First Time - The New York Times Living Carbon, a biotechnology company, hopes its seedlings can help manage climate change. But wider use of its trees may be elusive.

No comments: