Genetically Engineered Trees Documentary: Review

Genetically Engineered Trees Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSEVzwdjjWw&authuser=1

                This documentary expressed the views of several scientists and researchers pointing out the hazards associated with the development and use of genetically engineered trees. The documentary begins by introducing the narrator, Dr. Suzuki who is a geneticist and once ran the largest genetics lab in Canada. Suzuki explains the difference between vertical inheritance and horizontal inheritance. The difference is that vertical inheritance is the transfer of a gene from one individual to another within the same species while horizontal inheritance is the transfer of a gene from one individual to another of different species. Suzuki explains how the results of experiments regarding gene transfer as a result of vertical inheritance cannot be superimposed as the results of horizontal gene transfers, that these are two completely difference experiments with two completely different sets of results.

                The traits on genes are expressed in relation to their context. For example, taking a gene from a fish and inserting it into a plant may cause the fish gene to act differently because it is no longer in its natural context. Genetic engineering is a science fraught with uncertainty and hazards. Genetically engineered trees have been theorized to be the single greatest threat to native forests. It would only take a single genetically engineered tree to release viable pollen into the environment, fertilizing other trees which would further spread the genetically engineered tree eventually phasing out the native trees.

                One of the genetic changes that the scientists are looking to insert into trees is BT toxin which is a pesticide that can be produced throughout the tree, killing any insect that tries to consume the tree. There are several issues with this. One, is that the toxin inadvertently causes selection for superbugs that are BT resistant, causing farmers to use increasingly hazardous pesticides to try and kill the BT resistant pests. The BT toxin is present in every cell of the tree including the roots. The BT produced by the cells may leech from the roots into the soil environment, affecting the microbial environment within the soil. Not only does this toxin spread into the soil, but may also contaminate groundwater. Other species are harmed as well, just as with DDT, bio magnification causes larger concentrations of the toxin to move up the food chain poisoning and killing important predators. 

                BT toxin has also been found to lead to various illnesses in humans including headache, dizziness, extreme stomach pain, vomiting, and allergies. Many individuals consume genetically engineering food every day, many of them without knowing it. The National academy of sciences stated that “The potential risk of unintended side effects from genetically engineered foods is greater than from natural processes.” Meaning that something in the genetically engineered foods is causing detrimental effects to human health.

                Some companies stand to sell trees resistant to the herbicide roundup, a popular week killer. Corporations advertise these genetically engineered trees saying that it will reduce the need for herbicides. Conversely, the use of herbicide on roundup-resistance trees nearly tripled as the chemical can be applied without harming the trees. Unfortunately this herbicide contains a chemical called glyphosate which is poisonous to amphibians, causing a decline in amphibian populations in areas where this herbicide is used. The Danish government banned roundup because traces of the chemical glyphosate was found in their drinking water and is toxic to people and other organisms.

                Some timber companies advocate the planting of trees genetically engineered to have less lignin fibers. Lignin gives trees their rigidity and is therefore essentially in maintaining structural support and protecting them from the elements. Engineering trees without these lignin fibers makes it easier to turn these trees into paper pulp but also increase the trees vulnerability to environmental stressors like insects. Increased vulnerability to insects means that the trees must be sprayed with pesticides more often. Trees without lignin will also suffer a higher mortality rate and will decay faster than normal trees, contributing to the buildup of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere. Genetically engineered trees designed specifically to be cut down are a waste when there are plenty of alternative sources for paper pulp such as agricultural waste.

                Companies have also looked into developing a “terminator” gene which would essentially render a plant completely sterile so as to be able to regulate the number of genetically engineered trees out in the world. The issue with this is that the terminator technology is not reliable, and in the words of Martha Crouch who helped found the “Terminator” Technology, “It is near impossible to generate 100% sterility, the will to reproduce is simply too great”. All it would take is one of two plants to be pollinated by these genetically engineered trees and those genes would be passed on at an exponential rate. It’s even possible for these genes to get passed on and create truly sterile trees in which case we could see the death of forests because the contaminated trees simply cannot reproduce.

                The documentary also covered some of the property rights and issues that come along with patenting a gene. As was exemplified in the court case Monsanto vs. Schmeiser, the big wig corporations are looking to call any organism that is implanted with their gene their property. Say for example a tree is genetically engineered with one unique gene. This tree indirectly pollinates a nearby farmer’s tree, which later on produces several other trees that exemplify the traits of the original tree. The progeny of that original tree can be considered the corporations property because they “invented” the tree with that specific gene. Even if that gene made its way into a small style farmers crops and contaminated his trees, if that farmer chooses to destroy his crop to get rid of this contamination, that farmer could receive a lawsuit for destruction of property.

 Genetically engineered crops often affect indigenous communities and destabilize sustainable communities by taking advantage of cheap labor primarily in the south. The documentary concludes with the other giving some examples of how individuals can help reduce the use of genetically engineered trees and crops. By being a thoughtful shopper and talking with local governments and within nearby communities individuals can help stop the spread of genetically engineered trees and the hazards that come with them.