The Global Politics of Transgenic Crops
Author : Abby J Kinchy
Pages : 240
Publisher: The MIT Press
Price : $22
ISBN : 0262017814
Genetically modified foods (GM foods) are foods derived from genetically modified crops. Genetically modified crops have specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques.Typically, genetically modified foods are transgenic plant products: soybean, corn, canola, rice, and cotton seed oil. These may have been engineered for faster growth, resistance to pathogens, production of extra nutrients, or any other beneficial purpose.
Critics, sometimes referring to genetically modified foods as "frankenfood", have objected to GM foods on several grounds, including safety issues,ecological concerns, and economic concerns raised by the fact these organisms are subject to intellectual property law. Genetic engineering has a wide range of cultural, economic, and ethical implications, yet it has become almost an article of faith that regulatory decisions about biotechnology be based only on evidence of specific quantifiable risks; to consider anything else is said to "politicize" regulation.
In this book Seeds, Science, and Struggle:The Global Politics of Transgenic Crops the author Abby Kinchy study the anatomy of the social protest against genetically engineered food.Rather than considering the politicization of the regulatory system, she takes a close look at the scientization of of this debate by calling on international experts, carrying out their own research, questioning regulatory science in court, building alternative markets, and demanding that their governments consider the social and economic impacts of the new technologies.
Kinchy focuses on the key areas of political controversy related to genetically engineered (GE) food are food safety, the effect on natural ecosystems, gene flow into non GE crops and corporate control of the food supply. While it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods, to date, no adverse health effects have been documented.The book ultimately demonstrates the shortcomings of dominant models of scientific risk governance, which marginalize sustainable food production.
The author also analyses the range of perspectives within non-governmental organizations on the safety of GM foods.Abby Kinchy is Assistant Professor in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and coeditor of Controversies in Science and Technology: From Maize to Menopause.
Chapters in the Book:
Genes Out of Place
Free Markets Sound Science
The Maize Movement and Expert Advice
The Politics of Biosafety Monitoring
Patents on OutofPlace Genes
Protecting Organic Markets
Science and Struggles for Change
Review Courtesy: www.wikipedia.org, www.amazon.com
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