GM Crops and the Global Divide

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By: Jennifer Thomson

eBook - January 2021 - eRetailers

Explores global attitudes to GM crops and unravels the reasons behind negative sentiments.

Attitudes to GM crops continue to generate tension, even though they have been grown commercially for over 20 years. Negative sentiment towards their development limits their adoption in Western countries, despite there being no evidence of harm to human health. These unfounded concerns about genetically modified crops have also inhibited uptake in many countries throughout Africa and Asia, having a major impact on agricultural productivity and preventing the widespread cultivation of potentially life-saving crops. + Full description

GM Crops and the Global Divide traces the historical importance that European attitudes to past colonial influences, aid, trade and educational involvement have had on African leaders and their people. The detrimental impact that these attitudes have on agricultural productivity and food security continues to be of growing importance, especially in light of climate change, drought and the potential rise in sea levels – the effects of which could be mitigated by the cultivation of GM and gene-edited crops.

Following on from her previous books Genes for Africa, GM Crops: The Impact and the Potential and Food for Africa, Jennifer Thomson unravels the reasons behind these negative attitudes towards GM crop production. By addressing the detrimental effects that anti-GM opinions have on nutrition security in developing countries and providing a clear account of the science to counter these attitudes, she hopes to highlight and ultimately bridge this global divide.

- Short description

News

Sales in Australia and New Zealand only. This title is available elsewhere through CABI (external link).

Reviews

"Jennifer Thomson’s excellent new book...is a highly informed, lucid, and gracious narrative."
Kathleen Hefferon & Henry Miller, Global Literacy Project, 22 April 2021

Details

Paperback | January 2021 | $ 59.99
ISBN: 9781486312658 | 208 pages | 234 x 153 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Illustrations

ePDF | January 2021
ISBN: 9781486312665
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

ePUB | January 2021
ISBN: 9781486312672
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

Features

Explains why developed countries are preventing developing countries from achieving their full agricultural potential.
Outlines how the GMO community “got it so wrong” in gaining universal acceptance of GM crops.
Updates scientists, regulatory authorities, decision makers and the interested public on the current status of GM crops in both developed and developing countries.
Gives first-hand accounts from people involved in growing, promoting and regulating GM crops.

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Genetically modified organisms make their entrance
2. GM crops arrive on the scene
3. The West’s stand on GM crops
4. GM crops made in Africa for Africa by Africans
5. Learning from economists
6. How to bust myths and the importance of communication
7. Countries that got it right and why
8. To label or not to label, that is the question
9. The West versus Africa
10. The West versus the Rest
11. Conclusions
Index

Authors

Jennifer Thomson is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Cape Town and the 2004 recipient of the L’Oréal–UNESCO award for Women in Science for Africa. In 2019 she was awarded the International Prize for the Protection of Human Rights by the Accademia dei Lincei of Italy.