By the year 2050, Earth's population will double. If we continue with current farming practices, vast amounts of wilderness will be lost, millions ...
read full description
reviews
Dec 19, 2010
Audrey
rated it: 
I can't remember where I first heard about this book, but I'm glad that I read it. It is written by a married couple, the woman is a scientist who genetically engineers rice and the man is an organic farmer. They do a good job of describing what organic and GE actually mean. It struck me that even though these terms are used widely (more so organic) and seen on grocery store shelves, many don't understand them.
After reading Tomorrow's Table, I have a better understanding of GE and the benefit More...
After reading Tomorrow's Table, I have a better understanding of GE and the benefit More...
Apr 13, 2009
Melody
rated it:
Assigned this book in biotech class. I was surprised and a little disappointed by the choice, pop lit instead of hard science, but it's an easy read and basically well written. The personal anecdotes aren't really helpful and have slot of smug overtones, but if you've become used to that type of smug culture (which is becoming more pervasive where I live) the anecdotes will serve the purpose the authors intended rather that just making them come off as self-superior and out of touch. I think
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 26, 2009
Jared
rated it:
This is a must read for anyone serious about food sovereignty. There are basically two categories of people who respond negatively to genetically modified foods: 1) people who understand GE crops, 2) people who don't.
This book is written to give people an overview of the GE crop industry and to answer some of the "myths" with facts about GE crops. I don't know what I think about it yet, but at least I know more about some of the objections to GE crops and answers to those object More...
This book is written to give people an overview of the GE crop industry and to answer some of the "myths" with facts about GE crops. I don't know what I think about it yet, but at least I know more about some of the objections to GE crops and answers to those object More...
Feb 18, 2011
Lena
rated it: 
I first became curious about this book after reading that it was co-authored by an organic farmer and a plant geneticist who also happen to be husband and wife. Given how polarized the conversation about organic food and genetically engineered food tends to be, I hoped this book would provide me with some more balanced information on the topic than is generally available, and that is precisely what it does.
Pam Ronald works at UC Davis, where she has been using the techniques of gene More...
Pam Ronald works at UC Davis, where she has been using the techniques of gene More...
4 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Jun 18, 2011
Drew
rated it:
One of the first things that I was reminded of by reading this book is how hard it is to farm. In addition to physically taxing work. The economic rewards are rarely enough to make it appealing from an investment standpoint. Yet the importance of growing more food for an expanding population with less pesticides on less ground has never been more obvious. The book is written from the two points of view that most people want to hear from the most, scientist and farmer. I think everyone wants to b
More...
Jul 22, 2008
Nomi
rated it:
Written by a husband and wife-he's an organic farmer and she's a prof. who does research on genetic engineering. They make a very persuasive case for combining the two (genetically engineering organic crops) in order to reduce pesticide dependency, produce healthier food and feed more people effectively. They point out that the public suffers from a real lack of basic scientific knowledge in general and particularly when it comes to GE crops. Instead activists and nonscientists have been scaring
More...
Jan 27, 2010
Karen
rated it:
Better than I thought. What a great idea, a husband who is an organic farmer and his wife who is into gmo crops. They actually have me believing that in some cases, GMO crops are the way to go. If you can reduce pesticides by 75% and by mixing plants that are close relatives it seems like a reasonable trade.
Good read for anyone who feels passionate about organics or GMO crops, shows another side to the story.
Good read for anyone who feels passionate about organics or GMO crops, shows another side to the story.
Apr 25, 2009
Malina
rated it:
I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about genetic engineering, organic gardening and how the two can overlap. It was dense and technical in some of the descriptions but made an effort to be approachable by including recipes and conversations had with friends. It was definitely a good read, but not as amazing as other food books. The authors make some very good points, have some interesting perspectives and overall the book is very informative.
Feb 05, 2009
Diane
rated it:
Written by my good friend Pam. Opens the dialog over whether GMOs have a place in sustainable agriculture. This is certainly controversial, but Pam and Raoul (her husband) are well-qualified to present a reasoned perspective.
Mar 23, 2010
Rob
rated it:
Definitely worth a read. It made this organic wanna-be do a double take on whether genetically engineered food is a problem or a tool to enable growing food better, and more of it.
Jul 19, 2011
Estelle
rated it:
4.5 stars for the explanations and discussions of the benefits of, and issues surrounding, organic farming and genetic engineering, especially the need to move the focus of GE discussions away from just process to coming up with solutions for how to bring GE back away from solely being for private corporate profit to its use for public good - especially in tandem with organic farming practices.
3 stars for the anecdotal descriptions. Although meant as a starting point and framework f More...
3 stars for the anecdotal descriptions. Although meant as a starting point and framework f More...
Nov 18, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
This should be insightful. The authors are married and both work at UC Davis. He's an organic farmer and she's a plant genetic scientist. I think they're trying to argue that genetically engineering plants can work in harmony with organic farming. This book is scientific, but also about their individual jobs and how they apply their beliefs within their family. I'm curious to hear about how they eat. We shall see.....
May 25, 2009
Kevin
rated it:
A quick read, Tomorrow's Table breaks down a lot of the misconceptions and fears we have of genetically modified foods. While I don't think the authors did enough to explain the problems presented by corporations patenting genes, and thus life, I do think it provided a fair account of genetic modification and how it can be used to enhance organic agriculture.
Jun 27, 2009
Tasha
rated it:
Slightly disorganized. Ronald should have written the book by herself and left her husband out of it. He doesn't add much to the discussion. I do enjoy imagining their compromise...."Sure honey, you can have two chapters." Yikes!
Definitely changed my outlook on GE food, but I doubt others will be as flippant in dismissing the health risks.
Definitely changed my outlook on GE food, but I doubt others will be as flippant in dismissing the health risks.
Oct 20, 2008
Suzanne
rated it: 
Terrible. The authors rely on fallacious arguments ("if you think genetic engineering should be regulated, you're stupid") and mish-mash of personal anecdotes and selective facts. I wish they had forthrightly addresses the serious dilemmas posed by genetic engineering, and the role of weak regulators and strong corporate interests.
Sep 19, 2011
Aravinda
rated it:
A great scientific account of genetic engineering. A truly fascinating and eye-opening perspective; but definitely written in a scientist's voice. At best it reads like a narrative, other times, like a scientific paper. All around informative and worth picking up if you have any interest in the topic.
Feb 06, 2012
Chris
rated it:
Very interesting to learn how organic farming and genetically-modified plants can go hand-in-hand.
Feb 04, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Really interesting book written by a husband/wife team- one a genetic engineer, one an organic farmer. A really interesting perspective on genetic engineering and organic food.
Feb 06, 2012
Feb 06, 2012
Feb 04, 2012
Feb 03, 2012
Jan 27, 2012
Jan 26, 2012
Jan 22, 2012
Jan 16, 2012
Jan 07, 2012
Jan 04, 2012
