[APWG] Plants Invasive GMO Eucalyptus species

[Wayne Tyson]

I'd be interested in seeing a large number of comments on this item:

The Invasion of Genetically-Engineered Eucalyptus
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18881.cfm
  a.. By Jim Hightower
  August 6, 2009
  Straight to the Source


OCA Editor's Note: Please click here to take action against ArborGen's plan 
to plant 260,000 franken-trees.

Here's a great idea: Let's bring into our country a genetically-engineered, 
non-native tree that is known to be wildly invasive, explosively flammable, 
and insatiably thirsty for ground water. Then let's clone thousands of these 
living firecrackers and plant them in forested regions across seven Southern 
states, allowing them to grow, flower, produce seeds, and spread into native 
environments.

Yes, this would be irresponsible, dangerous, and stupid - but apparently 
"Irresponsible, Dangerous, and Stupid" is the unofficial slogan of the U.S. 
Department Agriculture. In May, with little consideration of the devastating 
consequences for our native environment, USDA cavalierly rubberstamped a 
proposal by a profiteering corporation named ArborGen to do all of the 
above.

Substantially owned by International Paper, ArborGen shipped tissue from 
Brazilian eucalyptus trees to its New Zealand laboratories, where it was 
genetically altered to have more cellulose. New Zealand, however, outlaws 
plantings of genetically-engineered crops, so ArborGen sought out a more 
corporate-compliant country: Ours. The engineered eucalyptus was waved right 
into the good ol' USA to be cloned, and it's now awaiting final approval for 
outdoor release in our land.

This has happened with practically no media coverage or public 
participation. It is happening solely because a handful of global 
speculators hope to profit by making ethanol from cellulose-enhanced 
eucalyptus - never mind that their self-aggrandizement would put America's 
native forests in danger of irreversible contamination by these destructive, 
invasive Frankentrees.

Luckily, several scrappy grassroots groups have mobilized to bring common 
sense and public pressure to bear on USDA. For updates and action items, 
visit www.nogetrees.org.

"Public Overwhelmingly Rejects Genetically Engineered Trees," Stop GE Trees 
Campaign, July 16, 2009.