The genetically engineered chestnuts contain a gene from wheat that breaks down the main toxin produced by the chestnut blight. If federal regulators sign off on the GE trees, which could happen as early as next year, the foundation could use them freely both in its managed orchards and in actual forest settings.
“Substantive criticisms of biotechnology do exist, but for some reason, they almost never find their way into the mass media. The opposition only seems weak because its strongest arguments are ignored.”
“Your newspaper poses as an open-minded, environmentally conscious, liberal organization — but this article clearly shows where your loyalties lie.”
In her essay on the hazards attending genetic engineering, author Barbara Kingsolver raises the question: “What will it mean for a handful of agribusinesses to control the world’s ever-narrowing seed banks?” Asheville’s Sow True Seed has an idea, and they’re ready to fight back. (Cathryn Zommer shows off Sow True Seed’s “Harvest Goddess” street puppet, above.)
Carol Koury, owner of Asheville’s Sow True Seed, joined some 82 organic farmers, advocacy groups, and seed companies as part of a class-action lawsuit brought in federal court today, Jan. 31, in New York against the agricultural giant, Monsanto.
