Anti-biotech Groups Obstruct Forest Biotechnology, Researchers Say

[Staff]

Anti-biotech Groups Obstruct Forest Biotechnology, Researchers Say

ScienceDaily (June 30, 2009) — The potential of forest biotechnology to help address significant social and environmental issues is being "strangled at birth" by the rigid opposition of some groups and regulations that effectively preclude even the testing of genetically modified trees, scientists argue in a new report.

Anti-biotech Groups Obstruct Forest Biotechnology, Researchers Say
excerpts from above:

Steps must be taken to create a regulatory environment that considers genetically modified trees on a scientific, case-by-case basis, and is focused on the end product rather than the process, say researchers from Oregon State University, Carnegie Mellon University and other institutions in an article in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

"Everyone wants safe and responsible regulations that protect the environment," Strauss said. "But some extreme opponents who see anything that is genetically modified as a mortal sin are successfully putting in place details that will make it virtually impossible to move ahead with genetic modification in forestry or woody energy crops.
"They don't even want to see field research," Strauss said, "which is required for analysis of ecological effects as well as benefits, and they have been making strides toward shutting the industry down."

[Equilibrium]

""They don't even want to see field research," Strauss said, "which is required for analysis of ecological effects as well as benefits, and they have been making strides toward shutting the industry down." Oh horrors. They're upset they can't do field tests. Pity. I think the message is loud and clear. People have concerns about genetically modified organisms. Field tests are about the last thing anyone I know wants to see.