Jared Westbrook has been working to resurrect the American chestnut, a tree that almost disappeared from the US a century ago. The American Chestnut Foundation, of which Westbrook is the director of science, has spent years genetically engineering chestnuts to withstand a deadly disease. However, during a visit to a chestnut field in Indiana, Westbrook noticed that some of the trees were not the correct variety. This mistake is the latest in a series of concerns that led the foundation to withdraw its support for the genetically modified trees. The disagreement has caused a divide within the restoration community and has raised questions about the future of the project. While SUNY ESF (the university that developed the trees) plans to continue seeking approval to distribute seeds, they no longer have the support of the foundation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/12/24/chestnut-tree-genetic-engineering-mistake/