Genetic Engineered Trees
Read some articles about genetically modified organisms and thought I’d say something…
Genetic engineering has grown to become a growing issue in the science world in addition to the real world. Many studies show that genetic engineering can benefit the human race by making food products last longer and give out more nutrients and vitamins when we eat them. Genetic engineer has grown from engineering foods, animals, and bacteria to now trees. Many people see this new technology as a good advancement in technology because it can help with the fight on global warming and to help restore and replenish the tropical rain forest which has suffered the loss of many acres over the years. Scientists are starting to do studies to genetically engineering trees throughout the country because scientists can work on creating a tree that grows faster, yields better wood, produces hardier crops, fight pollution, and even serve as sentinels for detecting germ and chemical attacks.
With the genetic engineered trees the wood could be made better for the environment with making it burn better or making it stronger or resistant to viruses or insects. Global warming is a growing issue with the accumulation of carbon dioxide; with these genetically engineered trees that these scientists can engineer, can help to remove toxins quickly and cheaply than ever. In addition to engineering these trees the fruits and other produce that will be richer in nutrients and produce better crops.
Tree genetic engineering depends on the “availability of tissue culture protocols allowing whole plant regeneration from isolated pieces of tissues and on the availability of DNA transfer methods permitting the modification of the host genome” (Charest). In one study, biotechnology has been credited with saving Hawaii fourteen million dollars for their papaya industry. The reason being was that there was a virus that was wiping out forty percent of their crops and threatened to destroy the rest of the crop until scientist engineered the seeds to resist the virus, which then resulted in the prosperity of Hawaii’s papaya industry.
The Gene transfer method which is an agro bacterium, “a based method was developed that is effective on a variety of commercial lines of hybrid cottonwoods. It has been used to generate over 2,000 lines of transgenic poplars and over 20 field trials of transgenic trees” (Strauss). The implications that this new technology can have could help out the plant extremely. This new technology can help the plant by reducing the amount of pollution in the atmosphere because we can plant and grow trees faster than before. This in turn will result in the more trees absorbing carbon dioxide which then will release more air into the atmosphere. In addition, we can make the kind of trees we want; for Christmas or to hang a swing off of in the front yard. Biotechnology is the future in the science field and will help out the human race for years to come.
References:
Charest, P.J., M.F. Michel. 1991. Basics of plant genetic engineering and its potential applications to tree species. Petawawa National Forestry Institute, Inf. Rep. PI-X-104. 48 pp.
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2002/nsf01168/nsf01168q.htm
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/GEtrees.htm
http://www.isb.vt.edu/brarg/brasym95/charest95.htm
