Can't see the trees for the wood.

Sampson, V.; Lohmann, L.  Seedling v.17 (3) 2000

Correspondent Address: N/A

Abstract
The issues raised by genetically modified (GM) trees are similar to those raised by GM crops, although GM trees can be seen as posing an even more serious problem due to their longevity, their largely undomesticated status, their poorly understood biology and life cycles, the complexity and fragility of forest ecosystems, and the corporate and state control of enormous areas of forest land. The framework through which GM trees are being developed is profoundly biased against social arrangements which promote and rely on biological diversity. The attempt to engineer trees genetically belongs to a centuries-old tradition of state and corporate efforts to drastically simplify large wooded landscapes for specialized purposes. Fraught with internal contradictions, this tradition is also under challenge from groups defending local diversity. An effective response to the dangers of GM trees will go beyond exposes of their biological effects by contributing to alliance-building among interest groups. 8 ref.

Descriptors forest trees; genetic engineering; biosafety; biodiversity; trees; genetically modified organisms Codes Plant Breeding and Genetics (FF020); Biotechnology (WW000); Forests and Forest Trees (Biology and Ecology) (KK100) Risk Category ; ENVIRONMENT; GENERAL CONCERNS