R. planticola was chosen to receive this gene as it already had metabolic pathways to breakdown pentose sugars such as xylose, which is a main component of agricultural and forest residues.

This company realized that, because R. planticola is an aggressive and abundant soil bacterium, it could be genetically modified to destroy crop residue and also create ethanol.

Ph.D. research conducted at Oregon State University, supervised by Elaine Ingham, obtained a sample of the genetically modified organism for assessing ecological effects through the German Institut für Biotechnologie and, testing it in non-sterile (ordinary) soil, found that the modified bacteria caused small amounts of alcohol in the soil.

[30][28] Dr Ingham claimed to a New Zealand Commission that "the likely effect of allowing the field trial [with the genetically modified bacteria in question] would have been to destroy terrestrial plants".

[31][32] Additionally, the SDF20 was found to have produced 20 micrograms per milliliter of alcohol in the soil which is several hundred times lower than that required to affect plant growth.

[34] The Green Party of New Zealand has issued a public apology for misleading statements and acknowledging that a cited research was never published.