Washington – more than a century after withering This has led to a massive decline in American chestnut trees, and the U.S. government is weighing whether to allow genetically modified versions to spread in the wild.
The impending decision has sparked a lively debate about the promise and dangers of genetic engineering among legions of chestnut lovers. Some have been preparing for years, hoping that genetically modified trees resistant to blight will revive once-thick chestnut groves. Others warn that this could have unintended environmental consequences.