USDA Approves Field Testing of Genetically Engineered Trees – Environmental Groups Sue

forestry

Last spring, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a field test for planting and growing genetically engineered (GE) eucalyptus trees on several sites in the southern US, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. 

The tests will be conducted by ArborGen LLC, a biotech firm owned by three forest product companies: International Paper, MeadWestvaco, and Rubicon, based in New Zealand.  ArborGen is also partners with Scion, a New Zealand Crown Research Institute, in the development of gene discovery and breeding for forest trees.  The two companies are working together to indentify gene traits associated with …


Visit the original post at: Environment News