All plants are then killed, before they can produce pollen or seed, and the above-ground parts burned. Following tree removal, the site must remain fallow for one year, and we are required to monitor for and destroy any sprouts that might arise during that time. The OSU field tests are being conducted in full compliance with these and other applicable laws, and are completely safe. Some would demand that technology be absolutely free from risk. But this should not be the criterion we use when we decide whether to move forward.
All technology has risk.
There is some evidence that electromagnetic radiation emanating from cell phones may cause brain tumors. Of course not. We don t claim that biotechnology is risk-free. The damaged trees were part of experiments to help us identify those risks. We want to make this information available to the public so that society can make an informed decision about whether to embrace this technology.