Agricultural Biotechnology and the Environment

Probing the profitable new science of creating--and altering--life forms"Extraordinarily well documented . . . remarkably clear. This isthe most comprehensive coverage of these issues to date. It will be requiredreading for some time." -- Lawrence Busch, Michigan State University"Krimsky and Wrubel not only describe the components of agriculturalbiotechnology, they address and analyze controversies involving the risksand benefits of new technologies. Coverage of technical to social componentsof agricultural biotechnology is unusually complete and thorough. Theireven-handed and comprehensive approach to these topics is rare and extremelyvaluable." -- Richard Weinzierl, University of IllinoisModern agriculture is being transformed by the genetic alteration ofseeds, animals, and microorganisms, a process that has produced such productsas flavor saver tomatoes and crops resistant to specific insects or herbicides.Agricultural Biotechnology and the Environment is the first comprehensiveoverview of the ongoing transformation of agriculture, exploring the impactof genetic engineering from scientific, social, ethical, and ecologicalperspectives.Sheldon Krimsky and Roger Wrubel detail the impact the new generationof products is expected to have on agricultural practice and the environmentand assess the degree to which current trends in biotechnology match earlierexpectations. They also analyze the social and political response to innovationsresulting from genetic technology.Closely examined in each of three areas--transgenic plants, geneticallyengineered microorganisms, and transgenic animals--are technical and scientificproblems, social controversies, and anticipated environmental impacts.An objective, detailed look at a subject of interest to a broad spectrumof readers, Agricultural Biotechnology and the Environment willbe of interest to researchers in the new biotechnology fields as wellas to educated general readers and policymakers.A volume in the series The Environment and the Human Condition