According to NFN, companies can now alter trees to substantially reduce lignin, a component of the cell walls in trees and other plants that is essential for the structure of the plant, aiding in strength and vascular functions. Pulp and paper companies must remove the lignin from wood pulp to make paper. But now researchers have devised a way to genetically disrupt a tree's production of lignin. Because lignin is essential to a tree's strength, lowering lignin could adversely affect a tree's ability to withstand wind without damage, says the group. The altering of lignin production underlies that more research is required to fill gaps in the understanding of tree biology and ecology, say environmentalists.
Trees are very complex organisms.
Recent studies, for example, revealed that some trees, when attacked by caterpillars, release a chemical warning to surrounding trees, which alter the chemical structure of their leaves to be unappealing to the caterpillars. Given all of the unknowns, WWF is urging governments to declare a moratorium on the commercial release of GM trees and encouraging the industrial forest sector to do the same voluntarily. While calling for government regulators of biotechnology to better consult with environmental organisations, WWF is also prodding the paper and biotechnology industries to redesign field trials to examine broader environmental impacts.