[Wonder Warthog]

"We would also point out that the United States is using twice as much paper per capita as other highly civilized nations (Europe, Japan). Let us not ask genetic engineering to do what could be accomplished by lower-tech means like putting a surcharge on junk mail."

Which means that the US is doing twice as much as the other civilized nations to reduce global warming. Paper (and the CO2 it takes to grow it) that ends up in landfills is removed from the biosphere for quite a long time. What we NEED to be doing is RECYCLING LESS PAPER, and land-filling MORE.

[Physicist]

The possibility that the new genes spliced into GE trees will interfere with natural forests isn't a hypothetical risk but a certainty.

Excellent. Maybe they can resurrect the American chestnut.

[Prof Engineer]

Cool. I'd like two FrankenOaks for my yard please.

[SpinyNorman]

Nature makes it's own transgenic trees: it is called mutation. I am surprised that they aren't protesting the mass extinction of dinosaurs (and finding a way to blame it on the President)!

Aren't these the same people that will watch their precious forests go up in flames because they will not allow proper forest management that would contain the fires to relatively small controllable areas?

[ClearCase_guy]

For instance, GE'd pines might be grown without all those "useless" pine cones. They may be herbicide resistant so that competing undergrowth can be eliminated. They may produce their own pesticides so that many of the insects which live in association with trees are poisoned.

That's a lot of hypotheticals. Here's another: GE'd trees may be designed to be so radioactive that they glow in the dark -- to make clear-cutting easier at night. It could happen! Yikes!!!

[Nateman]

Every time most species reproduce you have an unknown genetic experiment. We must stop sexual reproduction for every living thing for who knows what unknown bad things shall be born! Oh wait a minute , only genetic manipulation by man is bad since nature is always good and man is always evil. Yea, that's it.

[ASA Vet]

[S.O.S121.500]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times:

SIERRA CLUB
HIKE TO HELL

[Prodigal Son]

One can easily go off on a flight of fancy thinking of genetically engineered trees. Imagine a tree that was engineered to grow in the shape of a house- complete with plumbing, doorways, windows etc. You could maybe splice different plants onto it and have the tree grow tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables so you could just reach out the window and pick your dinner. The Greens would love it. We could plant a big orchard of these things and you could move all the extreme lefties into their tree houses out in the middle of nowhere and be shut of 'em.

[HairOfTheDog]

There is unrest in the Forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the Maples want more sunlight
And the Oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the Maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the Oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the Oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the Maples
Can't be happy in their shade?

There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the Maples scream `Oppression!`
And the Oaks, just shake their heads

So the Maples formed a Union
And demanded equal rights
'The Oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light'
Now there's no more Oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet,
Axe,
And saw ...

~Rush....

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

We would also point out that the United States is using twice as much paper per capita as other highly civilized nations (Europe, Japan). Let us not ask genetic engineering to do what could be accomplished by lower-tech means like putting a surcharge on junk mail.

You can easily feel the hate seething from this paragraph that Club Sierra has for America. Not to mention that, if you've ever been on Club Sierra's mailing list you know they are as prolific, if not more than anyone else, perhaps even the DNC.

Freaking Luddites!