Time and time again we point out that genetically engineered trees will have widespread and unintended impacts that could lead to devastating consequences for forest biodiversity, soils, wildlife, water, not to mention the communities that depend on the forests. Here is one more example of the unpredictability of this dangerous technology. Its time to stop before any more damage is done. Reject GE trees now.
Field trial of genetically-modified wheat failed to show it can repel aphid pests, scientists say
25 June 2015, London Independent
A controversial field trial of genetically-modified wheat has failed to demonstrate that the GM crop can repel aphid pests as scientists had predicted from previous laboratory studies.
The GM wheat was modified with an extra synthetic gene for an insect pheromone used by aphids as an alarm signal and the first field trial took place in the face of intense opposition from anti-GM activists.
Scientists had hoped to show that the modified wheat repels aphids such as greenfly and blackfly without the need for spraying the crop with environmentally-damaging pesticides, but the results of the field trial showed that this was not the case.
The government-funded field trial held at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, Hertfordshire between 2012 and 2013 cost nearly £3m. More than £2m of this sum was spent on security measures, such as high fencing and 24-hour surveillance, because of the threat of vandalism from GM protestors.
