Product Description

Consumer text answering questions such as: Is genetically modified (GM) food safe? Will GM organisms hard the environment? Covers a wide range of topics including labels and environmental concerns. Per call to the publisher: ISBN for softcover version is not valid. There is no softcover version per publisher.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #705357 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Amazon.com Review
Throughout the developed world, debate is raging over the use of genetically modified (GM) food and food additives. This debate, Canadian agricultural scientist McHughen holds, is not well-informed. "Everyone, it seems, is concerned about GM food," he writes, "but most admit they don't really know much about it." This is especially true in North America, where millions of acres of GM crops are now produced and GM foods are widely consumed, although it is no less true of Europe, where production and consumption alike are comparatively low.

McHughen recognizes that some of these concerns are well-founded, even if the discussion is not, and his book is a thoughtful examination of some of the basic scientific issues involved in whether genetic modification may turn out to yield harmful (or, conversely, beneficial) results. These issues, he goes on to say, are of two broad kinds: first, whether a GM product is safe for the environment, and whether it can be prevented from "escaping" into nature; and second, whether a GM product is safe for the animal or human consumer. His answers may not always please activists on either side of the issue, for he suggests that while in the main GM production is likely to be a good thing, particularly in areas of the world where agricultural yields are low, there may yet be unanticipated risks involved--especially because "nature has no plan for agricultural systems based on high chemical inputs and low biodiversity." --Gregory McNamee

From Library Journal
Fulfilling his promise to teach rather than preach, McHughen opens with a discussion of the basics of genetic modification technology before putting this technology within the larger contexts of food and environmental safety, risk assessment, corporate operations, politics, and ethics. First learning the basics will require some effort on the part of many readers, but McHughen is convinced that the scientific concepts are not that difficult for ordinary, interested people to comprehend. This is a refreshing approach to a subject often treated by the media and others with sensationalism, wild speculations, and rumors of "Frankenfoods." McHughen's qualifications are outstanding. He is a senior research scientist at the University of Saskatchewan, chair of the International Biosafety Advisory Committee of the Genetics Society of Canada, and developer of his own genetically modified organism, linseed. His emphasis here is on the United States, Canada, Britain, and Europe. McHughen covers some of the same ground as Stephen Nottingham's Eat Your Genes (LJ 7/98), but he focuses more on the technology while Nottingham reports on industry, governmental, and regulatory developments. For public and academic libraries.DWilliam H. Wiese, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
As a developer of genetically modified (GM) linseed flax plants and the father of a daughter allergic to nuts, McHughen is more conscious than most people of both growing and eating food. He strives to raise the quality of public debate about GM foods by making scientific information accessible. In general, he succeeds, though parts of the book will be tough sledding for lay readers, which an incomplete list of abbreviations used in the text and a lack of references don't help. McHughen explains enough genetics in enough detail so that genetics applications to plants are clear, and so is what Monsanto and other companies are trying to do. He punctures myths, often with a gentle chuckle, and anti-GM and pro-organic believers won't like all of what they might read. But, then, neither will the transnationals and their advertisers. After full servings of science, common sense, and questions, McHughen concludes by advising readers to "stop worrying so much about your food; it's almost certainly healthier than you are." William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Pandora's picnic basket
I've read 6 or 7 books on GMO's, pro and con. This book portends to be neutral in the beginning, but in fact it sets forth a pro GMO opinion. Sorry, I'm not convinced.

A Science based approach to a scientific issue
When I wanted to learn more about GM, I looked for a book to read that was based on science, not on rhetoric from activists that have only preconceptions and no real understanding of science. That is why I chose this book. Alan McHughen is not only a scientist, but he has done research on GM plants. This gives him a unique perspective into the pros and cons of GM plants and the GM process. He does a good job of describing the science behind GM, which is essential to understand for anyone interested in GM. Then he goes on to describe the application of GM technology and current issues. He emphasizes that one should separate the process of GM from the products of GM; something that the media and activist groups rarely do, further clouding the issue. If you would like to learn facts about GM so that you can decide for yourself, then this book is for you.

In a future not so far!
It easier to destroy an atom instead a prejudice , stated in certain opportunity Albert Einstein.
Are you anxious for knowing the advances about the genetically designed food? The public education will turn off the opposed voices and peregrine interpretations about the superstitions weaved around this new subject.
Hughes affirms that sixty per cent of the processed aliments contain some trans genetic product and we have been consuming them without ulterior consequences .
He points out two positive aspects behind this newness technique : Those improvements will help to mitigate the hunger in the world and reduce also, the ecological impact in the intensive agriculture .
A reference reading which undoubtedly forms part of one additional consequence of the Third Wave existence .