A scientist from Washington State University wants to plant genetically engineered poplar trees along the Rio Grande on the north side of Espanola that will produce 2-phenylethanol, which will simulate a substance similar to rose oil. It is used in foods, candy, flavored teas, sodas, and alcoholic drinks, lotions, soaps, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, chewing gum, cosmetics and powders.

Keith Jones, is partnering in the project with Norman Lewis, director of Washington State's Institute of Biological Chemistry, to form a company called Ealasid, Inc.  This company is working in conjunction with the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities in support of activities in a Wet Lab owned by Los Alamos National Laboratories.  The project would involve planting 80 acres of GMO Poplar Trees in the heart of agricultural land in Northern New Mexico.

Northern New Mexico has a strong tradition of agriculture that stems back before European contact. The seeds, food crops, medicines, wild plants, and trees are sacred, and should not be threatened by GMO contamination.  Rio Arriba County, Eight Northern Pueblos, All Indian Pueblo Council, and Santa Fe County have all adopted resolutions to keep GMOs out of their communities.  New Mexico Senate Memorial 38 also supports the New Mexio Food and Seed Sovereignty Alliance in "protecting native seeds from genetic contamination."  This project would threaten the purity of human, animal and plant life in this community.

We need to set a precedent in our cities, counties, states, the entire country, North America and the world that GMOs will no longer be tolerated.  Incidents of asthma, autism, and general allergies are at an all time high.  Our health and the health of our Mother Earth is more important than the income statements of major corporations.  Join Rio Arriba County in taking a stand against GMOs.