Superpigs and Wondercorn: The Brave New World of Biotechnology and where it All May LeadA scientific discovery as revolutionary as the splitting of the atom will come of age in the 90's - the human manipulation of the genetic building blocks that make up life. Like atomic fission, the results can be used for both good and bad. Choices made now will define the biogenetic end-game. Will it be a boon, or a curse? Michael W. Fox, the respected Vice President of the Humane Society of the United States, here looks at the biogenetic controversy and draws some troubling conclusions. Biogenetic research is capable of producing new life forms whose effects may alter the intricate balance of Nature in ways no one can foretell. "Superpigs" that grow larger than any pig before, cows that breed on an accelerated cycle, "new" vegetables, tomatoes that won't freeze - such new life forms can now be patented, making them potential sources of enormous profits for biotech companies. And the record of government, academia, and industry is spotty at best at protecting the earth - yet these same forces are in control of the biogenetic future. Superpigs and Wondercorn is at once an eye-opening survey of a dramatic, sometimes frightening new technology and an impassioned plea to use these new tools in the long-term interests of the global ecosystem. |
Contents
The World Made Over | 6 |
Genetic Engineering and Scientific Imperialism | 21 |
Regulating Biotechnology | 33 |
Copyright | |
9 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
agencies agribusiness agrichemical animal patenting animal suffering applications approved Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria bacterial pesticides bacterium benefits biological biotech biotech industry biotechnology companies biotechnology industry bovine growth hormone BSCC cattle cause chemical competition concern consequences corporate created creation crops disease resistance drugs ecological economic embryos engineered animals engineered life forms enhance environment environmental ethical Factor IX farm animals farmers federal genetic engineering biotechnology genetically altered genetically engineered animals genetically engineered microorganisms genetically engineered organisms herbicides human genes impact increase insects livestock medicine mice microorganisms milk million molecular National nology patenting of animals percent pesticides pests pigs plants and animals potential profitable protect protein Pseudomonas syringae recombinant DNA regulation regulatory release of genetically risks Science scientific scientists seeds selective breeding sheep social society species spliced sustainable agriculture techniques technocratic Thaumatin U.S. Department U.S. Patent University USDA vaccines varieties wildlife