Advantages and Disadvantages of GM trees

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  • Created by: zelahl32
  • Created on: 14-11-16 19:14

Advantages and Disadvantages of GM trees

Advantages

  • Quicker growth. In Brazil, there were trials of growing GM eucalyptus, where trees grew 40% faster with 20-30% more mass than conventional eucalyptus.
  • Resistance to disease. The English elm is being genetically modified to improve its resistance to Dutch elm disease so it can be reintroduced into the wild. It has been successfully grown in Scotland.
  • Better forest management

Disadvantages

  • The long term effects of GM trees on ecosystems is unknown.
  • There are concerns of the escape of modified genes into natural ecosystems.
  • Rapid growth could cause shorter, more intensive rotations, resulting in greater water demand.

Evaluation

Whilst there are some great advantages of growing GM trees, any person or business doing so must consider their effect on natural ecosystems and water supply. More research has to be carried out on the disadvantages, so that scientists can genetically modify them so that there is a balance between making them economically viable whilst maintaining natural resources. 

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