John G Rawson (Opinion, July 16) in his lyrical support for genetically modified pine forests makes no mention of the possible chain of events which might occur when our native birds and insects grub into the pines, or eat their seeds.
As he says, the current pine plantations have natives growing under their canopy - in the main, fern and bracken - with native birdlife making use of the pines as a source of food and shelter.
What he doesn't say is what happens to the birds and insects which feed on these genetically engineered pine trees. Have we any idea? Will GE trees have an adverse effect on bird breeding? Ditto the insects - so necessary as a part of the ecosystem.
Once the Pandora's Box is opened and genetically modified plants and trees are in our soil, anything could happen. Just look at how easily New Zealand swallows up wind-borne seeds from overseas for a weed-infested landscape. It's easier to keep Pandora's Box shut on this one.
Jenny Kirk
Whangarei
