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Biotechnology is the manipulation of a living organism to increase its usefulness. Though it is commonly thought of as a modern practice, it actually began when the early farming civilizations began choosing which crops to plant annually. In recent decades, however, biotechnology has undergone drastic changes due to advances in genetic engineering. Scientists can now alter the DNA of living organisms. Although gene manipulation could address certain health concerns and alleviate the problem of world hunger through engineered crops, some worry about the ethical dilemmas, the possibility of discrimination and eugenics, and unforeseen environmental problems from such radical interference.   

Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering expertly explains why biotechnology is a relevant and volatile issue. Part I begins with a history of biotechnology and its effect on agriculture, medicine, and the environment. The second chapter focuses on the United States, with emphasis on recent progress and new applications. Equal time is spent discussing the efforts of human rights advocates, animal rights advocates, and environmentalists to create definitive governmental regulations for this budding industry. The third chapter looks at how biotechnology has impacted the world, providing case studies of its history and current role in Japan, India, Germany, and South Africa. Part II draws together significant U.S. and international primary source documents and part III gathers useful research tools.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Foreword(p. vii)
• List of Acronyms(p. xi)
• List of Maps and Graphs(p. xv)
• Part I At Issue
• Chapter 1 Introduction(p. 3)
• The Issue(p. 4)
• The Challenges(p. 19)
• International History(p. 33)
• Chapter 2 Focus on the United States(p. 54)
• Current Situation(p. 54)
• History(p. 63)
• Counterstrategies(p. 77)
• Chapter 3 Global Perspectives(p. 85)
• Introduction(p. 85)
• Iceland(p. 85)
• Singapore(p. 86)
• Great Britain(p. 88)
• Japan(p. 90)
• India(p. 97)
• Germany(p. 104)
• South Africa(p. 110)
• Conclusion(p. 120)
• Part II Primary Sources
• Chapter 4 United States Documents(p. 129)
• Chapter 5 International Documents(p. 170)
• Japan(p. 192)
• India(p. 197)
• Germany(p. 202)
• South Africa(p. 209)
• Part III Research Tools
• Chapter 6 How to Research Biotechnology(p. 215)
• Getting Started(p. 215)
• Using Sources Effectively(p. 223)
• Chapter 7 Facts and Figures(p. 229)
• Chapter 8 Key Players A to Z(p. 239)
• Chapter 9 Organizations and Agencies(p. 252)
• Chapter 10 Annotated Bibliography(p. 267)
• Bioethics(p. 267)
• Biotechnology and Agriculture(p. 273)
• Biotechnology, Medicine, Stem Cell Research, and Biowarfare(p. 284)
• Genetic Engineering/Human Genome Project(p. 289)
• Biotechnology History and Biography(p. 295)
• Chronology(p. 302)
• Glossary(p. 322)
• Index(p. 333)

Extracto provisto por Syndetics

Biotechnology is the manipulation of a living organism to increase its usefulness. Though it is commonly thought of as a modern practice, it actually began when the early farming civilizations began choosing which crops to plant annually. In recent decades, however, biotechnology has undergone drastic changes due to advances in genetic engineering. Scientists can now alter the DNA of living organisms. Although gene manipulation could address certain health concerns and alleviate the problem of world hunger through engineered crops, some worry about the ethical dilemmas, the possibility of discrimination and eugenics, and unforeseen environmental problems from such radical interference. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineeringexpertly explains why biotechnology is a relevant and volatile issue. Part I begins with a history of biotechnology and its effect on agriculture, medicine, and the environment. The second chapter focuses on the United States, with emphasis on recent progress and new applications. Equal time is spent discussing the efforts of human rights advocates, animal rights advocates, and environmentalists to create definitive governmental regulations for this budding industry. The third chapter looks at how biotechnology has impacted the world, providing case studies of its history and current role in Japan, India, Germany, and South Africa. Part II draws together significant U.S. and international primary source documents and part III gathers useful research tools. Excerpted from Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering by Kathy Wilson Peacock All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Building on Lisa Yount's 2008 book, originally part of Facts On File's "Library in a Book" series, this revised and reorganized guide by Peacock (Natural Resources and Sustainable Development) offers more than just a subject overview and a survey of legal concerns. Via three segments and ten chapters, she presents a consideration of specific U.S. biotech controversies and unpacks international perspectives from Iceland to South Africa. Original inclusions (e.g., "How to Research Biotechnology"), profiles of field figures, and the list of organizations remain. International primary-source material excerpts offer an invaluable glimpse of bioethics' history. A laudable update. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Writer/editor Peacock introduces readers to the historical development of biotechnology and its significance to national and international populations. Given the diversity of the field, color coding is now used to categorize its various aspects in manageable chunks. Red biotechnology refers to medicine, green biotechnology relates to food, white biotechnology encompasses the industrial aspects, and blue is assigned to marine biology and genomics. The book's first section covers the issues raised by this dynamic technology, and case studies vibrantly point out the dilemmas that the new applications of genetic engineering pose to different cultures that have not yet become accustomed to this intrusive science. The second section concentrates on the new practices within the US, and then expands to point out the field's impact in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The book is filled with captivating case study descriptions, which will intrigue readers by the social, ethical, and legal dilemmas posed by this accelerating new technology. The final section is a treasure trove of research tools, including facts and figures, lists of organizations/agencies, biographical sketches of noted biotechnologists, and a lengthy annotated bibliography. This user-friendly work offers significant insight into biotechnology and its influence; it will enrich the libraries of a wide audience of readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All collections. R. A. Hoots emeritus, Sacramento City College

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Kathy Wilson Peacock is a professional writer and editor. She is the author of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, another volume in Facts On File's Global Issues series. Her articles have appeared in Publishers Weekly, Salon, and Brain, Child magazine.
Charles Hagedorn III holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and is currently professor of crop and soil environmental studies at the University of Virginia. He has received numerous honors for his work, including an Outstanding Service Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for service on the Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee.