Genetic Engineering, Food and Our Environment [Paperback]

Luke Anderson (Author, Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0908011431 | ISBN-13: 978-0908011438 | Publication Date: September 1999 | Edition: 1

If current trends continue, within five to eight years most of the foods we eat could be genetically engineered. Multinational corporations want us to believe that this food is safe, nutritious, and thoroughly tested. Critics argue that governments are sacrificing environmental and health safeguards in favor of commercial interests.

This book aims to clarify some of the key issues that concern people about genetic engineering, and to answer questions such as:
-- What is genetic engineering?
-- Why are genetically engineered foods being introduced, and who controls their introduction?
-- What are the implications for health, farming, and the environment?
-- Is genetic engineering needed to feed the growing world population?
-- Should living organisms be patented?
-- What can you do if you want to campaign against genetic engineering?

Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company; 1 edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0908011431
• ISBN-13: 978-0908011438
• ASIN: 1890132551
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,488,989 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Resource Section Alone, makes this book a MUST have., December 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Genetic Engineering, Food and Our Environment (Paperback)

This book is packed with current and useful information about GE foods, farming practices, life patents issues, and the impacts of GE food on our environment. It is an excellent manual for anyone wanting control of their food, or simply to better understand what all the contraversy about GE foods.. It is short & easy to read. There are many interesting quotes from scientists & industry spokes people. The best part of this book is a comprehensive RESOURCE section. Showing points of contact in the US, other international organizations, magazines, journals, email information services, and websites, for GE information. Anyone who wants to start doing something about this important issue needs to start here. The book is full of excellent references supporting the arguments. Also a worthwhile list of recommended readings. Buy it & share that resource information with everyone you know. Can not over emphasize the usefulness of this book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On The Emperor's GM Clothes, January 26, 2003

By 

Malcolm Mitchell (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genetic Engineering, Food and Our Environment (Paperback)

"Genetic Engineering, Food, & Our Environment" is crisply written, keenly argued, tightly and extensively researched. It presents a wealth of facts and possibilities, both an extremely disturbing side in and around the genetic engineering industry, and some encouraging information on potentially sustainable alternatives.

An excellent study for anyone considering GE-related issues, it makes a key handbook for the campaigner. It is a resource one can variously refer to in connection with environmental and other concerns, third world development possibilities, and underpinning issues in the background of global politics.

Luke Anderson's book entirely deserves the wide readership and serious attention gained by Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring." Carson's book detailed impacts and threats of industrial chemicals in use forty years ago; Anderson's is an effective sequel, an update on the state of play today. Depressing how some of the villains in the story are the same - or rather, grander and more dangerous. Inspiring how voices will yet courageously emerge like those of Carson and Anderson, with the wits and the research base to point to the toxins dribbling down the Emperor's new clothes (or carcass) and explain where they came from.

Altogether a thoroughly useful, troubling and galvanising kind of book. If you haven't got it, get it.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview of issues related to GE food, January 13, 2003

By 

Gail Moore "avid reader" (vancouver canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genetic Engineering, Food and Our Environment (Paperback)

Here in North America the public generally hears very little about debates surrounding around GE foods, this 1999 book from a UK author is a quick read, easy to understand overview of GE food issues. It is strictly food & agriculture covered here, human GE areas are not touched on. Besides discussing safety & nutrition concerns, chapters cover such topics as control of farming & environmental pollution, patenting genes with a brief history of what's already taken place over the last 15 years, and how the world trade organization is used to force countries to accept these products or to outlaw product labeling. There is a chapter on 2 journalists in Florida who got into a lot of trouble with Monsanto for attempting to run a television series on a hormone injected into cows to increase milk production.

Some of the information in this book is quite shocking. The sheer amount of money Monsanto has used to bribe and "settle out of court" tells me there's got to be something very wrong in what they're doing. I enjoyed the "follow the money" advice this book offers - if an "expert" is saying there's no harm at all any of this try to find out who's paying the salary or funding the grant. This quote from pg. 106 is unforgettable, "We paid $3 billion for these television stations. We will decide what the news is......"

Lots of information packed into a small book, also a guide to organizations and further information.