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Library Journal Review

This book is an in-depth probe of the frightening new era of genetic technology and the threat of an emerging biological arms race. Investigative journalist Pillar and molecular biologist Yamamoto present in intelligent language a complex problem of policy, science, and law. They provide a devastating analysis of the military's use of deception and secrecy to avoid governmental control and to manipulate an all-too-cooperative industry in developing chemical and biological weapons and Frankensteinian supertoxins and diseases. High marks go to their coverage of the historical development and use of chemical and biological warfare (CBW), the law and policy of CBW treaties, the future of genetic arms control, and the call for a new agenda of action. Designed for informed readers, but deserves attention from academicians and policy makers. Clifton E. Wilson, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Despite multiple 20th-century treaties, chemical and biological warfare research has continued. The bioengineering revolution has brought a whole new set of possibilities, and the Reagan administration has spent great sums on the creation of a whole new class of weapons. Piller (a journalist) and Yamamoto (a molecular biologist) have put together the first important account of this new development. Their balanced polemic traces the history of chemical and biological warfare and outlines the enormous potential of recombinant DNA (rDNA) for new applications. Subtle changes in common diseases of plants and animals can now be made with a high degree of selectivity. Thus an existing virus can be modified to increase its lethality without revealing that a hostile act has taken place. It would thus be virtually impossible for a nation to detect an attack on its primary food crop. Such undetectable attacks on Third World countries hold obvious appeals for "covert warriors." This timely and useful book presents the technical material in lucid terms suitable for undergraduates. It is an important addition to collections on defense policy and should be part of any collection dealing with biotechnology. Highly recommended, for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and general readers. -E. Lewis, New College of the University of South Florida

Booklist Review

Piller, an investigative reporter, and Yamamoto, a molecular biologist, argue that the Department of Defense is funding a substantial amount of research into genetically tailored bacteriological weapons. Aside from probing the usual controversies and ethics of such research, the authors claim that the bureaucracy controlling it has failed to observe the statutes of international treaties and the normal safeguards of biotechnology. Yamamoto's participation lends the expos}} a scholarly legitimacy. For larger current affairs collections. Notes, bibliography; to be indexed. RG. 358'.38 Biological warfare-U.S. / Chemical warfare-U.S. / Genetic engineering industry-Military aspects-U.S. / Genetic engineering-U.S. [OCLC] 87-30629