What could possibly go wrong?
GMO Compass:
Ah, memories.
On approximately 120 hectares across seven U.S. states from Florida to Texas, researchers will plant more than 200,000 GM eucalyptus trees. Developed by the ArborGen Company, the fast-growing trees are intended eventually to provide the raw materials for pulp, paper and bio-fuels and to minimise thereby the industrial use of forest land.
Field trials now should determine their suitability for the entire southern ‘timber belt’ of the USA: cold-sensitive, conventional eucalyptus varieties normally are confined to the state of Florida. However, the trials are controversial. Although site approvals had been issued previously, the new USDA permits allow flowering on all but one of the sites in question, as well as a greater density of trees.
Ah, memories.
Labels: environment
Since 1949, Durhamites have slept soundly, secure in the knowledge that, in our town, erection can be depended upon. Now, thanks to the power of the internets, we can spread that security all over the world.
7 Comments:
Kudzu. That's all.
By
Valerie, at 11:26 AM
Seems like Bamboo is a natural. The giant timber varieties grow up to 1ft per day in the height of the growing season.
By
Steve Graff, at 4:09 PM
"Gasoline trees"... just what I was thinking.
By
Unknown, at 5:47 PM
Fortunately, we never have droughts in the southeast like they do in California, right?
By
Barry, at 11:27 PM
I miss them, but mom always said they smelled like cat piss. :) I believe they were at the time blamed as part of the problem in the Oakland fire, no?
By
Joseph H. Vilas, at 12:24 AM
I love the smell of eucalyptus. It smells like . . . (i wish it were possible to say "i love the smell of something" without following it with that line. Damn you Coppola.)
Yes - big part of the Oakland fire, which a number of my friends lived through. Pretty sure that this is a different species or sub-species of euc they're planting, but still. It's not like non-native plants have ever established themselves in the southeast, even without a genetically modified advantage, right?
By
Barry, at 8:06 AM
Joe, your mom isn't the only one. I had a friend who said they smelled like cat piss. Must be one of those genetic quirks, like people who think cilantro tastes like soap.
By
Anonymous, at 10:06 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home