Against the Grain: Biotechnology and the Corporate Takeover of Your Food

by Marc Lappe, Britt Bailey

Argues that the consequences of genetically engineered foods could be catastrophic, and at the least have been underestimated or ignored by the industries exploiting the technologies.

Genres: Science

175 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A CALM, REASONABLE CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF GENETICALLY-MODIFIED PLANTS

Marc Lappe and Britt Bailey also wrote 'Engineering the Farm: The Social And Ethical Aspects Of Agricultural Biotechnology.' They said in the Introduction to this 1998 book, "we intend to describe and then get beyond the emotional and political concerns. We are fundamentally interested in the tension between the promise and peril of genetically engineered plants... (and) about possible health hazards stemming from ingestion of genetically engineered food crops. In researching this issue, we have been frustrated by the lack of good science on which to base a final opinion..."

They note, "few genetically modified organisms have been precisely modified... As a result, genetically modified plants may be much more of a black box than the pseudoscientific terminology of 'transgenic' and implied genetic control connotes." (Pg. 14) They identify three reasons for "intensive regulation" of biotechnology: "transgenic plants contain novel genes which may migrate to unintended weedy species... products may contain novel proteins with allergenic or toxic properties... plants produced may contain higher concentrations of oversprayed pesticides..." (Pg. 73)

They warn, "The full panoply of effects from the release of millions of genetically engineered crop plants are presently uncertain..." (Pg. 96) They point out, "consumers lack any tool which would allow them to discriminate between transgenic and non-transgenic foods..." (Pg. 116) They note in conclusion, "The ultimate question posed by genetically engineered crops is...: Do we have the wisdom 'to play God'?... do we have the foresight and intelligence to substitute human selection for natural selection?" (Pg. 144)

This is a fascinating, well-reasoned and objective perspective on genetically modified food, and will be useful to anyone interested in this issue.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather old book on an important topic - frankenfoods. It's a relatively easy read but, considering how long ago it was written it probably should be passed over for something more recent. A lot has happened legally since it was written and the questions posed in the book , important at the time, have now been answered in one way or another. Not to say that the long term affects of eating genetically modified foods are known, just the legal questions about some issues brought up have been decided. Many times in favor of corporations rather than the safety of people. It is a very dangerous world we live in when corporations can request and receive variances on laws so they can introduce new products without doing the necessary research needed to prove they are healthy. The U.S. government has abdicated its responsibility to protect the people and the revolving door between regulating agencies and the corporations they are meant to oversee is obscene.

[Kevin]

A little dated now, but still a good review of the arguments against the rush to genetically modified monoculture foods.