GMO's why can't they

back to the OP... :

ac hunter wrote: modify the genetics of elm trees, ash trees and others that have insect and disease problems like they do corn and soy beans? I always thought the elm trees were beautifully shaped shade  trees. Just a thought I had while sitting here waiting for the rain to stop.

The problem is, we cannot change the genetics of something amidst IT's life... once the tree has started growing, it's genetics don't change.

We can SPLICE a branch to a tree, but that doesn't change the tree's genetics.

Now, in order to cope with a specific disease, fungus, or insect problem, we need to know WHAT combinations of compounds significantly combat the given problem, and what genetics cause the tree to CREATE those compounds AND... not pose a compatibility problem with itself, or any symbiant elements.

then we have to TRY to do a DNA splice which would successfully include that character.