The corporations can control the super-tree; they can't control/make money
off the alternatives.
On Wed, 10 Nov 1999, jenny janis wrote:
> Why does the paper industry go through all the trouble of paying
> researchers, finding experimental land and the general expenses of creating
> "super trees"? There are already inexpensive choices out there. For example,
> hemp and other fiberous plants. WHere is the sense in it all. It really
> makes me want to scream about the complete ignorance of so many people that
> actually have a say in these matters. I know people are out there trying to
> be heard, but why do the paper companies not see the choices? Are "super
> trees" really more cost effective?
> -baffled
>
>
> >From: "Viviane Lerner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >Subject: FW: Forests in danger from GM super-tree says WWF
> >Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:15:18 -1000
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf
> >Of MichaelPwsort
> >Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 1999 8:07 AM
> >To: unlikely.suspects :;
> >Subject:
> >
> >
> >GUARDIAN (London) Wednesday November 10, 1999
> >Forests in danger from GM super-tree says WWF
> >Field trials, including five in UK, 'not properly controlled'
> >
> >Paul Brown, Environment Correspondent
> >
> >Environmentalists yesterday warned of the dangers of genetically modified
> >super-trees which can cross pollinate with native trees over a distance of
> >400 miles and which are being grown in field trials without knowledge of
> >the consequences.
> >
> >Other GM modifications under trial raise the prospect of silent forests,
> >devoid of insects, flowers and birds. The idea is to create super-trees
> >that grow rapidly, resist rot, and defy insect attack. The trees would be
> >sprayed from planes to kill all life around them.
> >
> >In a report published yesterday, the World Wide Fund for Nature said 116
> >trials on GM trees had taken place since 1988 without proper controls or
> >research into the effects on the wider environment. Seventy of the trials
> >are being carried out in the United States and five are in Britain.
> >
> >Francis Sullivan, director of programmes for WWF-UK, said there was the
> >prospect of large blocks of land in Britain and North America being given
> >over to one super species of tree, creating sterile environments. "The
> >genie of genetically modified super-trees is already out of the bottle. We
> >must make sure it does not get out of control otherwise such trees could
> >run riot through the forests of the world without us knowing what are the
> >consequences."
> >
> >The report, which was written by Rachel Owusu for WWF, says that
> >commercial planting of GM trees is likely to happen soon in Chile, China
> >and Indonesia, despite the inadequate research into environmental impact.
> >The report points out that pine pollen can travel up to 400 miles to reach
> >another tree, making it impossible to monitor the effects of cross
> >fertilisation on native stock. The organisation is calling for female only
> >trees to be grown to avoid this risk.
> >
> >Scientists are also trying to grow trees with salt tolerance and drought
> >and frost resistance, which could thrive in more places. One of the
> >experiments in Britain involves growing poplars with less lignin, the
> >woody substance that makes trees strong. Removing some of this would make
> >the trees softer and easier to pulp, which would in turn make paper
> >cheaper to produce.
> >
> >But environmental scientists believe that unintended side-effects pose
> >risks, partly because trees live so long and are known to adapt to
> >changing circumstances. For example, poplar trees bred in Germany not to
> >flower - so as to avoid cross contamination - did so years earlier than
> >they were programmed to do so, baffling the scientists.
> >
> >GM trees that do cross fertilise with each other or with native species
> >could create super "weed" tree species which would displace slower growing
> >normal trees and at the same time destroy the habitat of many creatures.
> >Trees provide food and shelter to many interdependent organisms including
> >insects, birds and mammals. Their root systems are often vast and closely
> >interact with soil organisms like bacteria and nematode worms.
> >
> >Mr Sullivan said: "We are not against genetically modified trees in
> >principle, but we want more research and above all openness about what is
> >being planned. We need to know the pros and cons, about the dangers of
> >cross fertilisation of native species, and of sterilising large areas of
> >the landscape. Does this mean greater profits for a few timber companies,
> >or more wood for all mankind? And are silent forests a price worth paying
> >for these advantages?"
> >
> >WWF is contacting its network of 100 companies, which are already
> >committed to using timber from sustainable sources, to urge them t18% ban
> >GM wood products. Sainsbury is among the companies which have already
> >pledged a ban.
> >
> >Among the 30 tree species that so far have been genetically modified are
> >apple, banana, birch, chestnut, elm, peach, pear, pine, plum and walnut.
> >In Britain, Shell has been carrying out two trials of eucalyptus in Kent
> >to improve growth rates and examine herbicide tolerance. Derby university
> >has modified the paradise apple to examine resistance to pests and
> >diseases, and Astra Zeneca has had two trials in Bracknell, Berkshire,
> >with low-lignin poplars - those trees were cut down by GM protesters in
> >July.
> >
> >
> >
> >=================================
> >
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