[PCA] NEWS: Vilsack calls for renewed emphasis on forests

[Gena Fleming]

Dear All:

Thanks for this and all the other links, Olivia.

The last line of the "Vilsack calls for renewed emphasis on forests"
article:

"At least 30 projects will promote development of biofuels from trees,
Vilsack said."

It is disturbing how genetic engineering is consistently being introduced as
addressing ecologic concerns, while the term itself is skillfully avoided.
A "renewed emphasis on forests" should not be confused with an  interest
in  conservation in its traditional sense.

Biofuels from trees are developed through development of genetically
engineered trees.  This poses risks for genetic contamination with
far-reaching, unknown, irreversible and uncontrollable consequences.

"An additional problem with GE trees grown for agrofuels extraction is that
(unlike most crops) they are likely to be grown in the vicinity of
genetically similar native and uncultivated tree populations. In these
instances,
well-documented cases of GE contamination of wild relatives are of
particular relevance." (see:
http://www.globaljusticeecology.org/files/GE%20Trees=%20Cell%20Eth-comp.pdf
 )

Gena Fleming

2009/8/17 Olivia Kwong <plant at plantconservation.org>

> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090814/ap_on_re_us/us_vilsack_forests
>
> Vilsack calls for renewed emphasis on forests
> By Phuong Le, Associated Press Writer -- Fri Aug 14, 6:15 pm ET
>
> SEATTLE -- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Friday outlined a
> vision for managing the nation's forests that placed a high priority on
> restoration to protect water resources and combat climate change.
>
> See the link above for the full article text.
>
>
>
>
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