Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers [Paperback]

Ronnie Cummins (Author), Ben Lilliston (Author), Frances Moore Lappé (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2004

Stormy debates about genetically engineered (GE) food have raged throughout the world in recent years, and the issue is now more potent than ever. Seventy to eighty percent of processed foods now sold in supermarkets contain genetically engineered ingredients, and the trend is growing at a startling rate. This second, completely revised edition of Genetically Engineered Food is an all-in-one guide written specifically to help consumers educate themselves about the risks posed by GE foods. Ronnie Cummins and Ben Lilliston, both leading consumer advocates, provide comprehensive, up-to-the-minute, action-inspiring information, including how to identify GE foods, products to avoid, brands that are GE-free, and how to shop and act with a purpose. They discuss all of the ethical, environmental, and health arguments against GE food, how these foods are being regulated in the United States and abroad, and why consumers are right to oppose them. Genetically Engineered Foods is the first and still one of the few consumer-oriented guides addressing this important subject.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The 1995 outbreak of "mad cow" disease in Europe provoked public attention to genetically engineered or modified food, a concern that has spread to the U.S. Cummins and Lilliston, food safety advocates, examine the scientific, political, economic, and health issues. With billions of dollars in profits at stake, the biotech food industry promises that new technology will end world hunger and improve public health and the environment. Cummins and Lilliston weigh those promises against the unpredictability of the new technology, and the fact that much of it hasn't been adequately tested for safety and that its products are being distributed without labeling. Genetically modified organisms are so common that they are part of the average consumer's daily intake in food from breakfast cereals to infant formula to margarine. The authors include information on what consumers can do, from smart shopping to grassroots lobbying, to reduce the threat of genetically engineered food. This is a thorough and well-researched look at an issue of growing public concern. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Being a consumer is not a passive act. It means taking charge. This book tells you how." -- Jim Hightower, author of If the Gods Had Meant Us to Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates

"Cummins and Lilliston are top investigative writers and activists who spill the beans about what's wrong with genetically engineered food..." -- John Stauber, co-author of Toxic Sludge is Good For You and Mad Cow USA --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 2nd edition (June 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569244693
• ISBN-13: 978-1569244692
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diets & Weight Loss > Food Counters

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book that Needed to be Written, November 10, 2000

By 

D. Read "Maximumdread" (GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers (Paperback)

I knew instinctively that I was against GE foods, and absolutely in favor of mandatory labeling of GE foods, but I did not know the actual facts behind the argument against GE foods. This book lays out those facts clearly. The authors make no attempt to hide the fact that they are against GE foods, but they do not let their bias get in the way of their reporting of the facts. There's no ranting and raving or kook-talk going on here. True, there are not enough facts to go around on this issue, but what few *independent* studies have been done have produced alarming results. The book also does an excellent job of illustrating how so many other countries around the world have absolutely rejected GE foods. The costs paid by the American farmer are also discussed. And there is a ton of consumer-related info. If you eat food, you need this book.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I wish there was more information......, January 26, 2003

By 

Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers (Paperback)

As far as it goes, GENTICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS is an excellent book. My only complaint is that the research to date on this topic is pathetic. Of course this is exactly what Ronnie Cummings says. For whatever reason, the Clinton administration and the current administration don't seem to be overly concerned about what is happening to our food supply. The amazing thing is that most GMOs hit the market in the past 10 years. If you weren't paying attention in the 1990s, you need to know that you probably were not alone. The bottom line is that the food you are eating today is not what we ate as recently as 15 years ago.

We all heard about the Monarch butterflies and the bovine growth hormone, but most of us had no idea just how many organisms--plants and animals--had been altered and were now part of the food chain. Cummins book describes just what we missed and although he writes somewhat provocatively, much of what he has to say is being said by others. In fact, the Monsanto potato has been discussed in many books and articles. Fortunately, big businesses like McDonald's are beginning to pay attention.

Since the government can't or won't act, bringing about a difference will be up to the public. You can vote with your food dollars. Although you may not be ready to go completely organic (you really should for your health's sake) you can at least avoid the worst kinds of foods. The bottom line is that we really don't know what GMOs will do to the human body. I for one am not ready to be an experimental subject and I certainly don't want children to become subjects either. Read this book and act.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Resourceful Book, January 8, 2005

By 

Patty Apostolides "Author" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers (Paperback)

This is a wonderful, resourceful book that captured my attention as I read all about genetically engineered food and the companies that deal with them.

I particularly liked the resources found in the back, ranging from the CSA's to listings of Organic Seed Companies. I also appreciated reading about the names of companies that do not produce genetically engineered food. Excellent!