Waubonsee Community College

Genetically modified foods, basics, applications, and controversy, Salah E.O. Mahgoub

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

Genetically modified foods

bibliography

905221865

Salah E.O. Mahgoub

basics, applications, and controversy

An increasingly hot-button issue, genetically modified (GM) food is considered by some as the best way to feed the world's growing population, and by others as an experiment gone wrong on the unsuspecting public. Genetically Modified Foods: Basics, Applications, and Controversy details the basics of biotechnology and its applications in the laboratory and the field. It provides a balanced presentation of the pros and cons of GM foods, examining the arguments of proponents and opponents, and covering regulations governing GM food labeling. The book includes definitions of biotechnology considered from different perspectives; examines different techniques, including their advantages and shortcomings; and highlights the unintended consequences of traditional and modern GM techniques. The text also includes information on the use of biotechnology to produce nutraceuticals and functional foods and biofuels. Discussions of mandatory, non-mandatory, and global labeling; issues of concern, controversy, and consumer welfare; consumer knowledge and right to choose; and the media's actual and expected roles in educating and informing the public round out the coverage. A 360-degree review of GM foods and the issues surrounding them, this book adds to the scientific debate and examines the issues through this lens, giving you information required not only to make an informed decision, but also to be able to discuss your decision with others. It moves this heated debate closer to the day when consumer welfare remains at the heart of the discussion

1. Introduction -- Agricultural practices -- The World Food Price -- Advances -- GM technology -- GM controversy -- Overview -- 2. The basics -- Biotechnology -- What is biotechnology? -- Genetic material (DNA) -- GM and GE -- GMOs, GM crops, and GM foods -- Genetically modified organisms -- Biotechnology : past, present, and future -- Historical developments in biotechnology -- Biotechnology timeline -- The future of biotechnology -- Types of biotechnology -- Red biotechnology -- white biotechnology -- Green biotechnology -- Gray biotechnology -- Blue biotechnology -- Bioeconomy -- Positive statements on biotechnology -- 3. Applications of genetic modification at the laboratory and greenhouse levels -- Genetic modification of plants -- Nongenetic engineering techniques (conventional biotechnology) -- Simple selection -- Marker-assisted selection -- Crossing -- Interspecies crossing -- Embryo rescue -- Somatic hybridization -- Somaclonal variation -- Mutation breeding -- Plant TC and micropropagation -- Unintended effects from conventional biotechnology -- Mutations -- GE techniques -- Overview -- From the laboratory to the greenhouse -- Techniques of GE -- Microbial vectors -- Electroporation -- Microinjection -- Microprojectile bombardment (biolistics -- Gene splicing -- Gene silencing -- Calcium phosphate precipitation -- Lipofection -- The steps followed in GE -- Methods for detection, identification, and quantification of GMOs in food and feed -- Introduction -- Sampling -- GMO testing methods -- Validation and standardization of methods -- Reference material for GMO testing -- The future of GMO testing -- ISO standards for detecting GMOs in food -- Unintended effects of GE -- 4. Applications of genetic modification at the field and commercial levels -- Introduction -- Plant biotechnology -- Development of GM crop varieties with improved resistance to herbicides used for weed control -- Development of GM crop varieties with improved resistance to pests -- Development of GM crop varieties with improved resistance to bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases -- Transgenic crop varieties -- Development of GM crop varieties with improved resistance or tolerance to abiotic factors -- Development of GM crop varieties with improved nutritional quality traits -- Weighing risks and benefits of applying GE to crops -- Production of biofertilizers -- Global status of GM crops -- GM crops/foods in developing countries with special reference to Africa -- Animal biotechnology -- Animal genetic modification techniques -- Techniques that do not use GE -- Techniques that involve GE -- Biotechnology for animal feed production -- Food biotechnology -- Introduction : genetically modified foods -- Composition of GE foods -- Intended changes in composition -- Unintended changes in composition -- Biotechnology in food processing and the uses of GMOs in the food industry -- Gm crops (products) used as food -- Food companies using GMO ingredients -- Examples of GM foods -- Processed foods and ingredients based on BM products -- Foods produced from animals consuming GM crops or treated with bovine growth hormone (BGH) -- Non-GMO companies and food products -- Non-GMO seed companies -- Non-GMO project verified -- Biotechnology in functional foods and nutraceuticals -- Production of plant-based functional foods -- Production of animal-based functional foods -- Application of biotechnology for production of foods and food ingredients -- The future of GM food -- Biotechnology for biofuel production5. Laws, regulations, and labeling for GM foods -- Introduction -- General aspects of GM food regulations and labeling -- The principle of substantial equivalence -- GM food labeling -- Issues with Gm food labelling -- Pro- and anti-labeling arguments -- Global GM food labeling -- GM foods regulations and labeling in selected countries -- Introduction -- Australia, New Zealand -- Canada -- Regulations -- Labeling -- The European Union -- Japan -- South Africa -- United States -- Consumer perspectives on GM food labeling -- Intellectual property (IP) and patents -- 6. GM foods or not? : the controversy -- Introduction -- Issues of concern and controversy -- Concerns about food safety and human health -- Environmental concerns -- Ethical concerns -- Regulatory and legal concerns -- Economic concerns -- Animal health and welfare -- Consumer choice -- Concerns about bias in scientific publishing -- Proponents -- who are the proponents? -- International bodies and governments -- Biotech, agrochemical, and associated companies -- Pro-GM lobby groups -- Global network of pro-corporate activists -- Arguments in favor of GM foods -- Benefits for farmers -- Benefits for consumers -- Benefits for the environment -- Benefits for the economy -- Other points in favor of GM foods -- Opponents -- Introduction -- Who are the opponents? -- United States -- Europe -- Canada, Australia, and New Zealand -- Africa -- Central and South America -- Asia Pacific -- Popular protests against GMOs and GM foods -- Vandalism and threats by anti-GMO activists -- Arguments against GM foods -- Better alternatives to GM technology -- Hazards and risks of GM -- IMpact on the environment, the ecosystem, and farming -- Ethical and moral objections -- GM technology creates socioeconomic and political threats -- And the debate continues -- 7. Consumer issues -- Introduction -- Consumer rights -- Studies on consumers' perceptions, attitudes, and preferences for GM foods -- Impact of moving from including GM components to non-GM components on food sales -- Roles of mass media