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FACTOID!!
First Nations used scales of ponderosa pine or yellow pine trees to make small hot smokeless fires that cooled rapidly so their enemies would not be able to track them.


Running wild


Running wild
Growing commercial varieties of genetically engineered and transgenic crops is raising fears that the new varieties could spread into the wild. There are concerns that the new varieties would spread like weeds into the wild, where they would compete with native plant species and harm the ecology. Another fear is that the bioengineered plants will be able to hybridize with nearby wild plants which are closely related to them, and produce a new variety of plant which could be harmful to the environment. Scientists have varying opinions on the matter. Some say that recent research shows that these concerns are valid and that the bioengineered varieties should not be grown commercially. Other investigators claim that their research has shown that there is no danger from the new varieties. Debate is continuing on this issue.
31 OCTOBER 1998, P. 38-41
New Scientist
31 OCTOBER 1998, P. 38-41

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