Dangerous Liaisons?: When Cultivated Plants Mate with Their Wild Relatives (Syntheses in Ecology and Evolution) [Hardcover]

Dr. Norman C. Ellstrand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2003 | ISBN-10: 080187405X | ISBN-13: 978-0801874055 | Edition: 1

"With insight, originality, and extraordinary scholarship, Norman Ellstrand brings together classical and current knowledge about crop evolution, crop breeding, and evolutionary ecology, weaving historical and ultra-contemporary themes into a single, comprehensive treatment. This book is a masterpiece that will be highly influential and widely cited." -- Allison Snow, Ohio State University

Editorial Reviews

Review

Painstakingly researched... objective counterpoint to the superficial and biased presentations typically offered by advocacy groups.

"An objective, balanced account of the impact of crop x native species hybridization... Though this book is written in a clear, nontechnical style, it covers the scientific literature well. It is unique in bringing together current knowledge on crop breeding and evolutionary biology." -- Choice

"With insight, originality, and scholarship, Ellstrand brings together classical and current knowledge about crop genetics, hybridization, and evolutionary ecology in a single, comprehensive treatment... This engaging and user-friendly book is a wonderful resource for ongoing biosafety discussions worldwide." -- Allison Snow, Information Systems for Biotechnology News Report

"Everyone interested in the effects of cropping on plant biodiversity, the evolution of weeds, and the risks of GM crops should read this book." -- Rick Roush, Nature

"Dangerous Liaisons? presents a rigorous and even-handed look at the science and technology surrounding crop gene flow. Denial worked fine for 10,000 years, but will not cut it in the era of GM, globalization and rapidly expanding human populations. Much as Rachel Carson did for pesticides four decades earlier, Ellstrand's book serves notice that society will need to come to terms with the genetic promiscuity of agriculture." -- Steven H. Strauss and Stephen P. DiFazio, Nature Biotechnology

"This book will appeal to academics, policymakers, students, and all with an interest in environmental issues." -- Biology Digest

"Excellent and easy to read." -- C.R. Bhatia, Current Science

"The first comprehensive synthesis of this diverse literature. Painstakingly researched, this book provides an objective counterpoint to the superficial and biased presentation typically offered by advocacy groups." -- Marzia Salmaso, Trends in Ecology and Evolution

"A valuable evaluation and discussion of our knowledge of gene flow in plants and the implication for transgene movement into wild crop relatives, with great relevance for transgene flow into FV's as well... the book's accessible and informal style make it a pleasure to read." -- Daniela Soleri, Bioscience

"The eye-catching title sets the style, with chapter headings including 'Long-distance Romance', 'Foreplay', and 'Caught in the Act'. Nevertheless, this is a serious book, which should appeal to lay people as academics alike, and just about anyone interested in the controversy over genetically modified crops." -- Spore Magazine

"Essential reading... An excellent book." -- David A. Andow, Environmental Biosafety Reseach

"A highly topical and well written contribution to the GM debate, providing the non-expert reader with a much clearer picture of what is known, and what is not known, about the risks of gene transfer to wild plants... [from] a writer who is not only fascinated by his subject, but is determined to pass that fascination on to his readers." -- New Agriculturist

"The book will be widely acclaimed and play an important part in the debate about GM crops." -- American Journal of Botany

Norman C. Ellstrand is a professor of genetics and director of the Biotechnology Impacts Center at the University of California, Riverside.

"A thorough discussion of the dangers of gene flow between cultivated plants and their wild relatives." -- Frits Adema, Blumea

Review

"Intriguing insights into what happens when cultivated plants mingle with wild ones." -- Bookwatch

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (September 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080187405X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801874055
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,547,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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