GMO trees: Saving the American Chestnut tree [erv]
Posted: December 21, 2014 at 9:41 pm
Ive mentioned this technology on ERV before:
Saving the American Chestnut tree from extinction with GMOs
Well the scientists involved think they have finally done it. They have finally made American Chestnut trees resistant to the blight that is literally driving the species to extinction:
Breakthrough at SUNY-ESF: Genetic engineering may save the nearly extinct American chestnut
After 25 years of research, a pair of professors at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry say they have used a gene from wheat to create an American chestnut that could withstand the blight that wiped out up to 5 billion of the trees in the United States.
It is tremendously satisfying to reach this level of success, said ESF professor Chuck Maynard, who worked with fellow professor William Powell to build the blight-resistant tree.
Like how GMO Papaya saved Regular Papaya from extinction, its possible that GMO American Chestnut has not only saved the species from extinction, but also can save Regular American Chestnut. Of course it depends on how the blight is spread, but like papaya, perhaps planting armies of GMO Chestnut around Regular Chestnut trees can provide a buffer to keep the Regular trees blight-free.
It is *amazing*. I LOVE THE FUTURE!!!!
But not everyone is so excited.
Some people would rather the American Chestnut tree go extinct, than have the species survive unclean.
Read the rest here:
GMO trees: Saving the American Chestnut tree [erv]