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Resource Pointer #284
Genetic Engineering, Cotton and Rice
July 17, 2002

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

*Redesigning Life? The Worldwide Challenge to Genetic Engineering, 2001* Brian Tokar, ed. Collection of critiques by 26 activists and scientists. Examines health, environmental and ethical implications of genetic engineering (GE), cloning and other new reproductive technologies. Chapters address golden rice, sustainable agriculture, designer babies, “genetic” diseases, xenotransplantation, eugenics, the “Life Industry,” biopiracy, patenting and major GE-resistance movements. 440 pages. UK£15.95; US$19.95. Contact Zed Books, 7 Cynthia Street, London N1 9JF, UK; phone (44-20) 7837 4014; fax (44-20) 7833 3960; email General@zedbooks.demon.co.uk; Web site http://www.zedbooks.demon.co.uk.

*A Summary of Research on the Environmental Impacts of BT Cotton in China, 2002* Dayuan Xue, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, State Environmental Protection Administration of China. Reviews scientific research on environmental impacts of Bt Cotton in China. Includes sections on impacts on natural enemies of target pest, growth of secondary pest populations, development of natural pest resistance, more. 26 pages. Contact Greenpeace, 1/F Tung Lee Commercial Building, 95 Jervois St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China; phone (852) 2854 8300; fax (852) 2745 2426; email sze.ping.lo@hk.greenpeace.org; Web site http://www.greenpeace-china.org.hk.

*Bt Cotton: A Deadly Trap, 2002* Forum for Biotechnology and Food Security. Briefly explains Bt cotton and its function, effects on yield, dangers of cross contamination and alternative pest control tactics. Addresses common myths around genetic engineering. Outlines specific market and environmental disadvantages to Bt cotton. Available in English, Hindi, Telgu, Marathi, Gujarati and Kannada. 2 page pamphlet. Free. Contact Forum for Biotechnology and Food Security, 7 Triveni Apartments, A-6 Paschim Vihar, New Delhi 110 063, India; phone (011) 525 0494; email dsharma@ndf.vsnl.net.in.

*Laying the Molecular Foundations of GM Rice Across Asia, 2002* Sarah Hindmarsh, Richard Hindmarsh. Policy Research & Analysis, Volume 1. Reports how privatized corporate agriculture from the North has affected Asian policy on genetically engineered (GE) rice. Describes long term significance of Green Revolution monocultures and the corporate role within Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in promoting GE rice. 27 pages. Contact Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific, PO Box 1170, 10850 Penang, Malaysia; phone (604) 657-0271; fax (604) 657-7445; email panap@panap.net; Web site http://www.panap.net.

*Vitamin A Deficiency: Green Solutions vs Golden Rice, 2002* Vandana Shiva and Upasana Singh. Contrasts the problem of vitamin A deficiency and problems associated with agro-biotech companies’ Golden Rice. Explains the importance of addressing vitamin deficiencies with healthy, balanced diets. Provides examples of food sources and recipies that fulfill dietary needs. Contact Diverse Women for Diversity, A-60, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016, India; phone (91-11) 656 1868; fax (91-11) 656 2093; email divwomen@vsnl.com; Web site http://www.diversewomen.org.

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