Agricultural Biotechnology??

For this week’s blog, I am going to do an exercise with this given hypothetical scenario:

Given the hypothetical scenario – ArborGen (a biotech company) has expressed a desire to plant test plots of genetically modified eucalyptus here at FGCU!  This GM eucalyptus has been engineered with enhanced cold tolerance.  This allows it to grow not only in Southwest Florida, but potentially as far north as South Carolina.  As an eco-aware citizen, the USDA has subpoenaed you to testify on the merits and pitfalls of this plan.  The following is my prepared statement:

            There are over 700 species of eucalyptus trees found on all parts of the globe.  The eucalyptus plant may only grow to be a small shrub or take on the form of a tree, some as tall as 300 feet.  This tree has long slender leaves and flower buds that have hair-like petals.  The flowers can be different shades of white, cream, yellow, pink or red.  Most eucalyptus are not cold tolerant; therefore, they are mostly found in tropical areas.  A downfall of the eucalyptus tree is that, because of the oil that is produced on the leaves, it is a high fire hazard.  There are also benefits to the eucalyptus tree.  This tree is a fast growing plant which provides an excellent and plentiful source of wood.  Eucalyptus trees are also used as a drainage tool because they absorb a tremendous amount of water.

            Referring back to my hypothetical scenario, genetically modifying this type of tree so that is can grow in more places would be beneficial in the ways I just mentioned; more sources of wood, drainage mechanism, and also a beautiful tree for landscaping.  This tree would be a great addition to the campus of FGCU.  Some of the intrinsic concerns might be the fire risk that these trees have.  Florida gets very dry in the winter and early spring and begins to become hot in late spring and summer, two favorable criteria for a forest fire.  This happening on a multi-million dollar college campus would not be ideal. We also have the occasional frost during winter but with their enhanced cold tolerance it would not be a problem. An extrinsic factor that would also be a concern would be the wetlands we have on campus.  The eucalyptus tree is known for is drainage mechanism and drying up wet areas.  The wetlands on campus provide an eco-system for our wildlife and bringing in a single species of tree that could destroy that would be terrible.

            These test plots could be a good and bad thing at the same time.  However, there are reasonable and cost-effective steps that can be taken to mitigate these risks.  If we integrate this study into our curriculum, you could have year round care and maintenance of this research.  FGCU could also make any extra work with the crops be a part of the service learning hours that we need for graduation.  By getting the students involved, it would decrease the need for expensive labor costs.

            If this study was successful it would bring merit and recognition to the University and everyone involved.  I think that the benefits would outweigh the costs if this was a successful study.  Just like any other study, it would not be beneficial if the study was a failure.  It would be hard work, but I think an overall good and beneficial experience for the students, University, and the rest of the world if we could create this cold-tolerant eucalyptus tree.

This photo depicts a large species of the Eucalyptus Tree.

In this photo you can see a bright red version of the flowers found on the Eucalyptus.

This photo depicts the shrub species of Eucalyptus.