Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants : The Scope and Adequacy of Regulation

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; and 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 involvement - and public confidence - in biotechnology regulation. And it looks to the future, exploring the potential of genetic engineering and the prospects for environmental 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 involvement - and public confidence - in biotechnology regulation. And it looks to the future, exploring the potential of genetic engineering and the prospects for environmental effects." The authoritative findings and recommendations in this volume will be important to anyone concerned about the impact of transgenic crops.

Booknews

The research project had two goals: to provide technical information to the agencies charged with deciding whether to allow commercializing a transgenic plant, and to bolster public confidence in the competence and integrity of those agencies. Most of the committee members are biologists from US and Canadian universities. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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 involvement?and public confidence?in biotechnology regulation. And it looks to the future, exploring the potential of genetic engineering and the prospects for environmental effects.

"Focusing on ecosystem health issues, this book acquaints the reader with major man-made and natural hazards, and the risks to wildlife and particularly human health that they pose. It contains numerous case histories that connect the material to real-life situations, self-test questions at the end of each chapter, and web site resources for additional research."