GMO "Paper Trees" by Michael young
A Paper Tree, or Genetically Modified Tree, is a tree or plant that's DNA has been modified to possess qualities they don't have. Research on Genetically Modified Trees were started in 1988 based on concerns about our environment's problems. Modifying plants can affect how insects affect it, if a disease can harm it, or even the how the next generation of the plant's appearance. If this project makes good progress, the world as we know it could change into either an artificial world or an improved and better world.
In 1988, Belgium developed GE Poplars to resist herbicides, a toxic to plants and vegetation. By 1999, many big companies have been supporting Genetically Engineered Trees. It is said that altering the lignin, a complex organic polymer deposited in the cell walls of many plants making them rigid and woody, in tree cells can make a big difference in how the plant performs it's role. Most trees that are being modified are plantation trees, farmers and scientists have been replacing crops with genetically modified plants. The Eucalyptus tree has been spread throughout Florida and is one example of a genetically modified tree.
Genetically Modified Trees are currently being used to benefit industrial economy of the U.S. As said in the last paragraph, Eucalyptus plants have been found everywhere in Florida already and continue to grow in two types of ways, GMO and naturally. Genetically Modified Trees provide biodiversity for nature, without it we may not even have as much plants and food today. They could determine the population of an animal in a region because they provide shelter too.
If Paper Trees became more widespread, wouldn't you think that natural grown plants will decrease? Or the ecosystem will be affected greatly as well? Or even humans' mindset will change? Remember that the effects of changing the DNA of a plant will affect the pests that pester, the disease that sickens the plant and kills it by natural means, or even the way the ecosystem operates will be affected if you make these changes. Natural grown plants will barely exist if we continue on with this, the ecosystem will change because of pests not receiving the chemicals provided by the plants or the disease that keeps plants in check will die out too. Anything can happen as long as it keeps our world safe.
