I have always been excited about genetically modifying trees, but chestnuts seem like the wrong subject to advance the research on. They have saddled themselve

I have always been excited about genetically modifying trees, but chestnuts seem like the wrong subject to advance the research on. They have saddled themselves with the burden of ensuring the nuts are safe for human consumption, including isolation and rigorous tracking and labeling which created this situation. Trees are also really good at turning atmospheric CO2 into valuable building materials, and no one cares if their house is safe to eat. Cut your teeth on a project like that, and when the science has mastered that global-warming-combatting housing-shortage linked solution, we can circle back at yummy holiday snacks.