US army may have killed Italian trees

Nature ^ | 4/6/04 | Helen R. Pilcher

[Youngblood]

"When planning military operations abroad, there is a need and a responsibility to check for potential microorganisms that could be introduced into foreign lands, and to take measures to prevent them from spreading," says Garbelotto.

What is ridiculous about that recommendation? The author is suggesting a solution to the problem. Its up to governments whether they heed the advice or consider it impractical.

[Youngblood]

Where are reparations mentioned? I doubt if any government wants to start down the road of suing for the negative effects of introduced species.

Of course the fungus could have arrived by other means. The author is inferring a likely means of entry given that the fungus is most probably of American origin, that US troops were stationed in the estate and the infection occurred decades ago. I'm sure that in researching the comings and goings at the estate (which probably has good records being a Presidential one) that the investigators looked at all possible modes of introduction.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[LibWhacker]

Check or sterilize every piece of wood, every splinter, every mote of dust that we carry with us, not only for every harmful microorganism that we already know about, but for every microorganism that we don't know about, but that may be potentially harmful to somebody, or something, somewhere in the world, 40 years from now? I'd say that qualifies for ridiculous.

[Youngblood]

Yes, what you state, taking checks to the nth degree, is obviously ridiculous. I doubt very much that this is what the author envisioned. Maybe making a start, (presuming that one has not already been made) by spot-checking for signs of diseased wood or treating wood for known diseases at the source would be something that could be done. Despite the dismissals of some, these are serious issues for industries such as forestry, farming and fisheries, not to mention human health and wildlife conservation.