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cover of episode Will GMOs Bring Back The American Chestnut Tree?

Will GMOs Bring Back The American Chestnut Tree?

2024/12/25
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Short Wave
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People
A
Andrew Newhouse
E
Emily Kwong
J
Jared Westbrook
R
Rex Mann
Topics
Rex Mann: 美国栗树的消失代表了一种生活方式的丧失，他的父亲一直希望这种树能够回归。这体现了美国栗树对当地居民的文化和经济意义。 Emily Kwong: 美国栗树曾经非常丰富，对生态系统和经济都非常重要，其消失对当地居民的生活造成了巨大影响。栗疫病真菌的出现导致了美国栗树的大规模死亡，并最终导致其功能性灭绝。即使树根存活，但幼苗也会被真菌感染而无法成熟。 Jared Westbrook: 美国栗树基金会采用三种策略来恢复美国栗树：传统育种、真菌病毒感染和转基因技术。传统育种方法在恢复美国栗树方面存在局限性，因为抗病性并非简单的遗传性状。用病毒感染真菌的方法虽然有效，但对于大规模恢复美国栗树来说，操作难度太大。转基因技术通过插入一个来自小麦的基因来提高美国栗树的抗病性，但将转基因栗树引入野外引发了争议，一些人担心这会对生态系统产生不可预测的影响。 Andrew Newhouse: 纽约州立大学认为生物技术方法，包括转基因树木的使用，可以作为解决方案的一部分，并对转基因栗树的长期有效性进行了辩护。 由于美国栗树是关键物种，因此值得付出努力来恢复它。人类活动导致了栗疫病的出现，因此人类干预也应该用于修复这一问题。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did the American chestnut tree population decline so drastically in the early 20th century?

The American chestnut tree population declined due to a deadly blight fungus discovered in 1904, likely introduced via Japanese chestnut nursery stock. The fungus spread rapidly, killing or infecting most of the 4 billion trees by 1950, rendering the species functionally extinct.

What ecological and economic role did the American chestnut tree play in Appalachia?

The American chestnut tree was a keystone species in Appalachia, making up 20% of the forest. It provided food for wildlife like deer, bears, and turkeys, served as feed for livestock, and its nuts were traded for essentials like shoes. Its loss devastated both the ecosystem and local economies.

What are the three strategies being used to restore the American chestnut tree?

The three strategies are: 1) Traditional crossbreeding with blight-resistant Chinese chestnuts, 2) Infecting the blight fungus with a virus to weaken it, and 3) Genetic modification by inserting a wheat gene into American chestnuts to combat the blight's oxalic acid.

Why is the genetic modification of American chestnut trees controversial?

Genetic modification is controversial because it raises concerns about unintended ecological impacts, such as changes to soil, fungi, and other plants. Critics fear it could set a precedent for widespread forest biotechnology, altering ecosystems in unpredictable ways.

What recent developments have occurred in the effort to restore the American chestnut tree?

In December 2023, the American Chestnut Foundation withdrew support for SUNY's transgenic chestnut project due to issues like diminished blight resistance and slow growth. SUNY defended the project, stating biotechnological approaches remain part of the solution. The foundation now focuses on advanced hybrid breeding.

What is the significance of the American chestnut tree as a keystone species?

The American chestnut tree was ecologically vital, supporting diverse wildlife and local economies. Its loss disrupted ecosystems and livelihoods, making its restoration a priority for ecological balance and cultural heritage.

Chapters
The American chestnut, once abundant, mysteriously disappeared by 1945, leaving only imported chestnuts available. This disappearance affected the ecosystem and economy, particularly in Appalachia, where the tree was integral to life. The episode will explore the efforts to revive the American chestnut and the controversy surrounding this endeavor.
  • By 1945, most of the four billion American chestnut trees on the eastern seaboard had died.
  • Chestnuts are now imported from Europe and Asia.
  • The loss of the tree represented a way of life for people in Appalachia.

Shownotes Transcript

In the early 20th century, a blight fungus wiped out most of the 4 billion American chestnut trees on the eastern seaboard. The loss was ecologically devastating. Short Wave host Emily Kwong) dives deep into how scientists are trying to resurrect the American chestnut tree — and recent controversy over a plan to plant genetically modified chestnuts in the wild. *Want to hear about more efforts to recover endangered or lost species? Let us know by emailing [email protected])!*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)