Hypothetical scenario
– ArborGen (a biotech company) has expressed a desire to plant test plots of
genetically modified eucalyptus here at FGCU! This GM eucalyptus has been
engineered with enhanced cold tolerance. This allows it to grow not only in Southwest Florida, but potentially as far north as South Carolina. As an
eco-aware citizen, the USDA has subpoenaed you to testify on the merits and
pitfalls of this plan. Do some research on the web and prepare a brief
statement to the USDA addressing the following questions:
•
What is known about the ecology of the eucalyptus tree
in general? What are the benefits of this technology? What are some of the potential
intrinsic concerns? What are some of the potential extrinsic concerns?
Can reasonable and cost-effective steps be taken to mitigate these risks? Do
the benefits outweigh the risks?
*Note: you’ll have to
do some background research to complete this blog! The definitions of intrinsic
and extrinsic are as follows: Intrinsic refers to social/cultural/institutional (i.e.
faith-based)/bioethical concerns, whereas extrinsic
refers to measurable human health and environmental impacts (think impacts on
biodiversity, human allergenicity and toxicity, etc.).
General Ecology:
Fast growing
Produce oil
Fast growing source of wood
Natural insecticide
Water drainer
Wind breaker
Intrinsic:
"Playing god"
Could be protesters on campus, therefore disrupting classes
Extrinsic:
Could drain the swamp land on campus
Could produce allergies to people on campus
Due to warm climate VOC's could be present more often
I would have to say my first question would be, why are we testing a cold tolerable plant in a sub tropical climate? So from this point alone I would have to say that all testing would basically be a waste of time and money. We rarely get freezes down here and there are already a few types of eucalyptus that can tolerate temperatures much colder than we experience in South Florida.
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