Genetically Modified Planet


Book Description

Genetically modified plants are currently causing controversy worldwide; a great deal has been written about their supposed environmental effects. However, the newspaper headlines and public debates often provide a level of reasoning akin to "this is your brain on genetically modified corn," which is to say, they exclude or exaggerate the actual scientific research on the impacts of these plants. Genetically Modified Planet goes beyond the rhetoric to investigate for concerned consumers the actual state of scientific research on genetically modified plants. Stewart argues that while there are indeed real and potential risks of growing engineered crops, there are also real and overwhelmingly positive environmental benefits.




Genetically Modified Planet:Environmental Impacts of Genetically Engineered Plants


Book Description

Genetically modified plants are currently causing controversy worldwide; a great deal has been written about their supposed environmental effects. However, the newspaper headlines and public debates often provide a level of reasoning akin to "this is your brain on genetically modified corn," which is to say, they exclude or exaggerate the actual scientific research on the impacts of these plants. Genetically Modified Planet goes beyond the rhetoric to investigate for concerned consumers the actual state of scientific research on genetically modified plants. Stewart argues that while there are indeed real and potential risks of growing engineered crops, there are also real and overwhelmingly positive environmental benefits.




Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants


Book Description

Transgenic crops offer the promise of increased agricultural productivity and better quality foods. But they also raise the specter of harmful environmental effects. In this new book, a panel of experts examines: • Similarities and differences between crops developed by conventional and transgenic methods • Potential for commercialized transgenic crops to change both agricultural and nonagricultural landscapes • How well the U.S. government is regulating transgenic crops to avoid any negative effects. Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants provides a wealth of information about transgenic processes, previous experience with the introduction of novel crops, principles of risk assessment and management, the science behind current regulatory schemes, issues in monitoring transgenic products already on the market, and more. The book discusses public involvementâ€"and public confidenceâ€"in biotechnology regulation. And it looks to the future, exploring the potential of genetic engineering and the prospects for environmental effects.







Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops


Book Description

The genetic modification of crops continues to be the subject of intense debate, and opinions are often strongly polarised. Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops addresses the major concerns of scientists, policy makers, environmental lobby groups and the general public regarding this controversial issue, from an editorially neutral standpoint. Included is a chapter by Bruce Tabashnik on the recent discovery of the first documented case of field-evolved resistance to a crop genetically modified to carry the gene for the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin. While the main focus is on environmental impact, food safety issues for both humans and animals are also considered. The book concludes with a discussion on the future of agricultural biotechnology in the context of sustainability, natural resource management and future global population and food supply.




GM Crops


Book Description

Genetically modified crops – are they monsters of nature or could they provide answers to some of our most pressing environmental concerns? Will they create superweeds, run amock and change life as we know it, or are these fears greatly exaggerated? Internationally respected microbiologist Jennifer Thomson takes us through the issues and concerns surrounding the development of genetically modified crops and their impacts on the environment. She explains how such crops are developed and assessed and discusses the likelihood of negative effects on biodiversity, pollen spread, and organic farming. GM crops may have tremendous potential for addressing some of the world’s environmental problems and protecting the planet, particularly in developing countries – in fact we could face more harm if some of these technologies are not adopted.







Valuating environmental impacts of genetically modified crops – ecological and ethical criteria for regulatory decision-making


Book Description

The VERDI project (Valuating environmental impacts of genetically modified crops - ecological and ethical criteria for regulatory decision-making) is a interdisciplinary collaboration between biosafety experts and risk ethicicists. Its aim is to develop recommendations for decision makers and regulatory authorities, thus helping to improve the regulation of GM plants. The results show that both the umambiguous description of protection goals and the establishment of a basis of comparison are two essential criteria when defining harm.







Genetically Modified Organisms in Crop Production and Their Effects on the Environment


Book Description

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted an Expert Consultation on "Genetically Modified Organisms in Crop Production and Their Effects on the Environment: Methodologies for Monitoring and the Way Ahead" from 18 to 20 January in Rome. The main objective of the consultation was to review the scientific basis for, and procedures to establish, effective post-release monitoring of genetically modified (GM) crops and develop guidelines to strengthen member countries' capacities to design and carry out monitoring programmes. The consultation was a follow-up to the earlier FAO Expert Consultation on "Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Crops", which had recommended the environmental effects of GM crops be assessed on a case-by-case basis and emphasized the need to monitor possible medium- to long-term environmental impacts. The main outputs of the meeting were: a review of the scientific criteria and procedures; strategies that could form the basis of efficient monitoring programmes; recommendations for both scientists managing the monitoring process and policy makers.