I found gardenweb.com when I was doing research about Eucalyptus trees. I was asked to sign a petition to stop the planting of "genetically engineered" Eucalyptus trees because of the environmental threat they allegedly can cause in some situations.

I was just curious what others here might know about genetically engineered eucalyptus trees. At this point I probably won't sign the petition as some of the claims seem extreme but I am definitely interested in feedback from here.

Here is the link to the petition for those who want to see the source...
http://www.causes.com/causes/678042-global-justice-ecology-project/actions/1710167

Below is the content of the petition for those who don't want to go to the link.

PETITION: Tell USDA Secretary Vilsack to Ban Genetically Engineered Trees!
December 6, 2012 � Started by Global Justice Ecology Project � Invite Friends
To: Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

Genetically engineered (GE) tree company ArborGen has petitioned the USDA for permission to sell hundreds of millions of invasive, flammable, genetically engineered eucalyptus trees every year for planting across the US South. I demand that this petition be rejected.

ArborGen�s plans to sell half a billion cold-tolerant GE eucalyptus seedlings annually for planting in huge industrial plantations threaten the ecological
integrity of forests across the US South from Texas to South Carolina. These industrial timber plantations will replace vast swaths of native forest, displacing native wildlife and impacting local communities.

Ecological Catastrophe

Eucalyptus trees are introduced organisms in the US and are documented as invasive pests in California and Florida. The cold tolerance trait could
vastly expand the range of this invasive tree. Experience in California and
other parts of the world has clearly demonstrated that, like kudzu, when eucalyptus escapes, it is next to impossible to eradicate.

Court decisions on other genetically engineered perennial organisms
including GE bentgrass and GE alfalfa, demonstrate a growing legal concern
around the potential escape of perennial GE organisms, even from field
trials.

In addition, the U.S. Forest Service has stated that large-scale plantings
of eucalyptus lower water tables, and affect groundwater recharge and local
stream flows, in some cases eliminating seasonal streams. This is of
particular concern in light of recent drought conditions in parts of the
South. They state, "[eucalyptus] water use is at least 2-fold greater than
most other native forests in the southeastern US."

Human Health at Risk

In dry regions or areas where droughts occur, eucalyptus are at high risk
of catching fire. Wildfires in Oakland, California in 1991 and in Australia
in 2009�both fueled by eucalyptus trees�killed scores of people and caused billions in losses.

The fatal fungal pathogen, Crytococcus gattii has been found in the U.S. It
can cause fatal fungal meningitis among people and animals that inhale its
spores. One of the eucalyptus species used in the GE eucalyptus hybrids (E.
grandis) is a known host for Cryptococcus gattii. Creating extensive
habitat for this fatal fungal pathogen is dangerous and foolhardy.

I demand that ArborGen�s petition be rejected.

------------------end of petition--------------

There is also a video about the dangers of eucalyptus trees which I have not viewed yet, but can be accessed at the link above.

Thoughts?