• Official Nonprofit
  • 6,887 Actions
  • $425 Raised

We did it! US Public Overwhelmingly Rejects Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus

I've got great news!   Thanks to your help, Global Justice Ecology Project and our partners submitted over 37,580 comments to the USDA (http://globaljusticeecology.org/pressroom.php?ID=639)OPPOSING to deregulation of ArborGen's  genetically engineered

Action Alert: USDA Opens Public Comment on GE Eucalyptus

URGENT ACTION ALERT: PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED BY APRIL 29: Tell the USDA NO WAY on Genetically Engineered Trees! Submit comments to the U.S. government by clicking here (http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0030-0001) Sign and share the

Sign the petition: help stop GMO Trees globally

While this petition is aimed at the US Department of Agriculture, it is important globally.  ArborGen, the company that wants to commercialize their cold-tolerant GE eucalyptus trees, has facilities around the world.  If they perfect these cold-tolerant trees

Why is this campaign important to you?

19 comments have been posted
to participate in the conversation

The GMO trees doesn't seem to be a petition...?

Anne Petermann

Hi Jill, If you go to this link: http://www.causes.com/actions/1738871-action-alert-usda-opens-public-comment-on-ge-eucalyptus you have the option of signing our petition or sending your own comments to the USDA.

I enrole because people like you and me definitely change the world.

Because we need to stop fetishizing these high-tech false solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss, and start looking at the root causes. In the United States, we especially need to drastically reduce our energy and resource consumption.

Because genetically engineered trees are an absolute stupid idea devised by people to make money while destroying ecosystems and putting human and non-human life in more jeopardy.

I cannot sign, don't know how; computer unsavy?

Trees are being genetically altered to grow faster, yield better wood and even detect biological attacks. Proponents of genetically engineered trees say biotechnology can help reverse deforestation while satisfying demand for wood and paper products. For example, Australian eucalyptus trees have been altered to withstand freezing temperatures, and loblolly pines have been created with less lignin, the substance that gives trees their rigidity. In 2003, the Pentagon even awarded Colorado...

Trees are being genetically altered to grow faster, yield better wood and even detect biological attacks. Proponents of genetically engineered trees say biotechnology can help reverse deforestation while satisfying demand for wood and paper products. For example, Australian eucalyptus trees have been altered to withstand freezing temperatures, and loblolly pines have been created with less lignin, the substance that gives trees their rigidity. In 2003, the Pentagon even awarded Colorado State researchers $500,000 to develop pine trees that change color when exposed to biological or chemical attack.

However, critics argue that not enough is known about designer trees’ effect on their natural surroundings — they could spread their genes to natural trees or increase wildfire risk, among other drawbacks. Still, the USDA in June gave approval for ArborGen, a biotechnology company, to begin field trials for 250,000 trees in seven southern states.