February 26, 2014
An authoritative book on agricultural biotechnology, edited by Genome Prairie’s VALGEN project investigators (David Castle, Peter Phillips and Stuart Smyth) will be published by Edward Elgar in April 2014.
This book, entitled the Handbook on Agriculture, Biotechnology and Development will be an important resource to help guide discussions and policy-making decisions related to GM technologies around the world.
The book compiles perspectives from leading researchers to provide insights on the social, economic and political realities affecting the adoption of ag biotech for global food security and development.
Stay tuned for a book release in Saskatoon this April.
Selected Reviews from e-elgar.com:
‘This Handbook covers a contentious topic, so the approach of the editors is refreshing, especially their transparent introduction as to how they organized their work. A key theme is evidence. I have been involved in agro-biotechnology for 25 years, mainly at the international level; I know that evidence is what matters. This is a comprehensive coverage of many aspects of agro-biotechnology but it is easy to navigate through the chapters and follow any number of issues of interest.’
– Peter Kearns, OECD, Paris
‘This Handbook is a tour de force, providing fascinating insights and nourishments for the mind that will shape views and visions. The rich interplay between science and society, between agriculture and development, comprehensively addressed in this Handbook is a must-read for anyone wishing to make a meaningful contribution to global development.’
– Anatole Krattiger, Cornell University, US
‘Over the last two decades one of the great global emerging technological trends has been the shift from chemistry to biology in agriculture. Bitterly contested and enduringly controversial, the shift to biotechnology has nevertheless led to greater sustainability and promises even greater gains in years to come. This Handbook is an invaluable compendium of detailed case study and insight.’
– Mark Lynas, Cornell University, US
‘This important volume analyses the current state of crop biotechnology development and regulation. It establishes a firm basis for understanding the current level of deployment of crops modified by biotechnology and also the uneven and often unscientific bases that have been used to judge their merits for particular regions. This book is an indispensable reference for anyone concerned with the development of this vital area of agriculture.’
– Peter H. Raven, Missouri Botanical Garden, US
