Lab-Grown Timber: The End of Deforestation?

BOSTON — BioWood Inc.has achieved what was once thought impossible: they have cultured real wood in a laboratory. By taking cells from a living tree and feeding them a proprietary nutrient gel, the startup can 'grow' perfect, knot-free planks of timber in a matter of weeks. 'It's identical to natural wood on a cellular level,' says the founder. The process allows them to grow rare hardwoods like mahogany and ebony at a fraction of the cost, potentially ending the illegal logging trade overnight.