GMO Food

January 1, 2015
This installment in the Contemporary World Issues series is a well-researched and balanced reference that provides the reader with an invaluable, expertly compiled resource impartially documenting the controversial topic of genetically modified foods. Newton opens with a detailed history of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), from the start of hybridization to its progression and application in agriculture. The information can be scientifically technical at times but is carefully explained and remains accessible to the general reader. The next section objectively describes the concerns and controversies surrounding the development and use of GMO foods and is followed by a collection of essays from a variety of experts within the field offering a myriad of perspectives on the topic. Each section is further bolstered by extensive reference lists. Subsequent sections provide supporting information for research, including descriptive profiles and data and documents. Profiles focus on the many key people (such as John E. Franz and Mark Lynas) and organizations (e.g., Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Monsanto) involved in both the support for and fight against GMO foods. The data and documents include statistics, tables, and pivotal laws and court cases. A lengthy annotated bibliography offers further sources for research. A chronology noting important events span thousands of years, from the introduction of cross-breeding animals for domestication (12000 BCE) to the FDA approval of the AquaAdvantage GM salmon (2014). A glossary and index are included at the end for quick access to information. This valuable reference is recommended for high-school, academic, and public libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)