Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS)

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Resource Pointer #275
February 28, 2002

For copies of the following resources, please contact the appropriate publishers or organizations directly.

*Intrinsic Value and Integrity of Plants in the Context of Genetic Engineering* 2001. Proceedings of an ifgene workshop. May 9-11, 2001. David Heaf and Johannes Wirz, eds. Presents papers from horticulturalists, ethicists, producer groups, policy analysts, lawyers, anthropologists and biologists. Topics include intrinsic value of non-human life, legal concepts of value, integrity of gene transfer, ecological integrity, ethical plant breeding methods and perceptions of dignity, wholeness and morality. 66 pages. Approximately US$15.00. Contact Ifgene, Naturawissenschaftliche Sektion am Goetheanum, Postfach, CH-4143 Dornach 1, Switzerland; phone (41-61) 706-4210; fax (41-61) 706-4215; email johannes.wirz@goetheanum.ch; Web site http://www.anth.org/ifgene/papersMay2001.htm.

*Genetically Engineered Organisms: Assessing Environmental and Human Health Effects* 2001. Deborah K. Letourneau and Beth Elpern Burrows, eds. Contributors include environmental and public health experts, ecologists, entomologists, zoologists and botanists. Chapters discuss genetically engineered (GE) species-to-wild breeding, pest resistance to Bt corn, persistence of Bt toxin in soil, effects of Bt toxin on non-target insects, persistence of GE microorganisms, ecological risks of virus-resistant crops, environmental risks of GE vaccines and more. Includes detailed reports on epidemiological and transgenic studies and methods to assess ecological considerations. 456 pages. US$74.95. Contact CRC Press LLC, 2000 N. W. Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431; phone (800)272-7737; fax (800)374-3401; email orders@crcpress.com; Web site http://www.crcpress.com.

*Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture: Economics and Politics* 2001. Gerald Nelson, ed. Includes chapters by economists, political scientists, government regulators, academics, consumer advocates and industry representatives. Chapters list traits and techniques of genetic engineered (GE), analyze farmer and consumer profitability studies, explore both market on non-market effects of GE crops and discuss stakeholder and public opinion effects on domestic and global regulatory control. Also explores GE controversy perspectives from producers, developing countries, consumer groups, environmental groups, government and the life sciences industry. 344 pages. US$69.95. Contact Academic Press, 525 B Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495; phone (800) 321-5068; fax (800) 874-6418; email apbcs@harcourt.com; Web site http://www.academicpress.com.

*Genetically Modified Plants for Food Use and Human Health — an Update* February 2002. The Royal Society. Expanded update of a 1998 report, “Genetically modified plants for food use.” Comments on regulatory procedures and health concerns of allergenicity and ingestion of genetically engineered (GE) DNA. Supports use of “substantial equivalence” and long term safety profiling in regulation. Recommends further allergenicity testing, particularly pollen inhalation studies. Concludes that risks associated with ingestion of GM and plant viral DNA are negligible. Download free at http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/files/statfiles/document-165.pdf. Contact The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG, UK; phone (44-20) 7451-2585; fax (44-20) 7451-2692; email science.policy@royalsoc.ac.uk; Web site http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk.

*The Politics of Precaution: Genetically Modified Crops in Developing Countries* 2001. Robert Paarlberg, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Examines the policy choices regarding genetically engineered (GE) food made my four developing countries: Kenya, Brazil, India and China. Identifies policy areas in which GE crops can be either supported or discouraged: intellectual property rights, biosafety, public research investment, trade and food safety. IFPRI believes that GE crops are part of the solution to producing enough food to feed the world. 184 pages. US$19.95. Contact John Hopkins University Press, 2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363; phone (800) 537-5487; fax (410) 516-6998; Web site http://www.press.jhu.edu/.

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