Gene Wars: The Politics of Biotechnology (Open Media Pamphlet Series) [Paperback]

Kristin Dawkins (Author)

Book Description

Series: Open Media Pamphlet Series | Publication Date: September 1997

International diplomats hold the fate of the world's food supply in their hands. This book discusses how the new technologies dominating agricultural research and production narrow the planet's gene pool. Dawkins also describes how consumers are joining farmers to preserve sustainable food security.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Gene Wars is a succinct, impassioned argument against corporate control of food plant genes. The author, a senior fellow at the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy, discusses monoculture crops, pesticide use, government agricultural subsidies, NAFTA, and genetic diversity in building her case against globalization and the patenting of genes. Her stance is strongly activist, and her knowledge of these topics is extensive and impressive. Scientific breakthroughs in food production are reaching their limits, she writes, and the answers don't lie in more and better technology: "Perhaps most alarming about this future is the likelihood that despite new technologies, the number of people in the world going hungry will actually increase."

All is not bleak, though. Dawkins outlines ways citizens can get involved, whether it's through political activity or teaming up with local growers to move away from the big, monoculture crop model and ensure the safety and security of the world's food supply. --Therese Littleton

About the Author

KRISTIN DAWKINS is a senior fellow at the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy. She worked for 16 years in community development and public policy research in Philadelphia, including 9 years as the executive director of the Philadelphia Jobs in Energy Project. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 60 pages
• Publisher: Open Media (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888363487
• ISBN-13: 978-1888363487
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,707,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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