Genetically Modified Forest Planned for U.S. Southeast

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http://www.scientificamerican.com
January 29, 2010
Genetically Modified Forest Planned for U.S. Southeast
International Paper Co. and MeadWestvaco Corp. are planning to transform plantation forests of the southeastern United States by replacing native pine with genetically engineered eucalyptus

By Paul Voosen

Few companies/researchers have dared to apply genetic engineering to plants that provide an essential strut of the U.S. economy, trees.

...International Paper...and MeadWestvaco.., are planning to transform plantation forests of the southeastern United States by replacing native pine with genetically engineered eucalyptus, a rapidly growing Australian tree...

[T]hey are banking on a controversial gene splice that restricts trees' ability to reproduce, meant to allay fears of bioengineered eucalyptus turning invasive/overtaking native forests.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... est-forest