Your Signature is Needed: Genetically edited organism released in wild ecosystems

Picture this: a squirrel skitters up a tree adorned with brown kernels. It takes a few nuts and returns to the ground, burying its meal under the shade of sprawling branches above. But little does this squirrel know, the chestnuts it's harvested are GENETICALLY ENGINEERED and the result of a RECKLESS EXPERIMENT! The USDA is poised to approve the first-ever genetically engineered tree to spread freely through wild ecosystems. These trees could live up to 250 years, spreading far and wide. As they spread, GMO trees could displace wild chestnut trees and threaten chestnut farmers' livelihoods. Once these trees are released, it's already too late to stop any unintended consequences! Friend, will you take immediate action to STOP this GMO experiment? SIGN THE PETITION The American chestnut tree's range spans the territories of Indigenous nations. And because genetically engineered trees could spread once released, they could CONTAMINATE and REPLACE native chestnut trees on Indigenous territory without those communities' consent, VIOLATING INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY. This reckless experiment could go horribly wrong. Yet, the USDA is willing to risk Indigenous sovereignty, our ecosystems, and wildlife and move forward anyway. If just 1 out of every 8 people reading this email takes action, we can help push the USDA to stop this uncontrollable release! Sign by 11:59pm TONIGHT! >> SIGN THE PETITION Standing with you, Dana Perls Senior food & agriculture program manager, Friends of the Earth Contact Us: Friends of the Earth U.S. Washington, D.C. | Berkeley, CA 1-877-843-8687 Contact us Email Preferences: Click here to unsubscribe Learn more: www.foe.org/news www.foe.org/about-us www.foeaction.org Connect: ©  2021, Friends of the Earth. All Rights Reserved.