God of Harvest: The Future of Biotechnology, Wealth, and Food

Author: Charles
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: "The Gilded Harvest is a grand epic about scientific breakthroughs and public skepticism. It is both an engaging scientific work and a skillfully told story that makes you ponder the source of every bite of food. For the baffling world of food and agriculture, it is an excellent guide." "Through the food we eat, a scientific revolution has directly affected everyone. This book is a record of this fascinating history. We have all read the headlines surrounding the heated debates about genetically modified foods, but Daniel Charles tells us the compelling story behind the news." Our food is transformed right before our eyes. Biotech companies are creating carefully designed crops with extraordinary powers—from cholesterol-lowering soybeans to tobacco that uses solar energy to make medicine. They hold immense promise: improving consumer health and increasing agricultural yields. But this scenario also has its dangers, as it stirs fear of life-altering tampering driven by profit. In this book, Daniel Charles tells the real story behind the "Frankenfood" controversy—one you can't learn from biotech companies or their zealous opponents. He first reveals the ruthless scientific competition that led to the development of genetically engineered foods (FlavrSavr tomatoes, RoundupReady soybeans, insect-resistant corn and cotton) and the behind-the-scenes business deals. He uncovers the secret campaigns waged across the Atlantic to defeat biotech companies. This book meticulously documents the intersection of science, business, and politics with astonishing detail. It follows the journey of three young scientists who were lured away from academia in the 1980s to join Monsanto, a chemical company seeking to enter the biotech field. These three scientists all hoped to increase crop yields and end global hunger. With ambitions to be pioneers of a green revolution, they were completely unprepared for what lay ahead. For anyone who wants to understand the birth and controversy surrounding genetically engineered crops, this book is essential. Beyond telling the story of current struggles, it points the way to a deeper understanding of the environmental impact of agriculture and human food demands. The story told in The Gilded Harvest is deeply moving, filled with grand ambitions, political machinations, and a pursuit of knowledge, but at its core, it is an idealistic story—a contradictory dream about a better world.