Agro-Technology

A Philosophical Introduction

By: R. Paul Thompson

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Paperback | 14 July 2011 | Edition Number 1

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258 Pages

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Humans have been modifying plants and animals for millennia. The dawn of molecular genetics, however, has kindled intense public scrutiny and controversy. Crops, and the food products which include them, have dominated molecular modification in agriculture. Organisations have made unsubstantiated claims and scare mongering is common. In this textbook Paul Thompson presents a clear account of the significant issues - identifying harms and benefits, analysing and managing risk - which lie beneath the cacophony of public controversy. His comprehensive analysis looks especially at genetically modified organisms, and includes an explanation of the scientific background, an analysis of ideological objections, a discussion of legal and ethical concerns, a suggested alternative - organic agriculture - and an examination of the controversy's impact on sub-Saharan African countries. His book will be of interest to students and other readers in philosophy, biology, biotechnology and public policy.

Industry Reviews

'Thompson brings his considerable knowledge of biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, and his prowess at keen philosophical analysis, to bear on a biological process and system essential to human life - agriculture.' Metascience
'... examines in detail the scientific background of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and makes an analysis of ideological objections, legal, and ethical concerns. The scientific explanation and clear style make this accessible to readers from any disciplinary background ... This book will be of interest to researchers investigating these issues, as well as students and other readers in philosophy, biology, biotechnology, and public policy.' The Quarterly Review of Biology

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List of figures	p. ix
List of tables	p. x
Preface	p. xi
Introduction	p. xiv
Scientific background	p. 1
Population genetics	p. 1
Quantitative genetics	p. 10
Hybridisation	p. 12
Molecular genetics	p. 17
Application of genetics to agriculture	p. 22
Genetic modification of plants and animals: techniques	p. 22
Agricultural biotechnology: current products and future prospects	p. 27
Philosophical and conceptual background	p. 33
A primer of logic, reasoning and evidence	p. 35
Relevant ethical theories	p. 51
Harm and risk analysis	p. 78
The precautionary principle	p. 92
The controversy: ideological and theological objections	p. 101
Advocacy and NGOs	p. 101
Interfering with life	p. 109
Patenting life	p. 121
The controversy: purported benefits	p. 137
Environmental benefits	p. 137
Yield and food security benefits	p. 141
Health benefits	p. 146
The controversy: purported harms	p. 152
Economic and corporate harms	p. 153
Environmental harms	p. 157
Health harms	p. 174
The organic alternative	p. 178
The environment: conventional, organic and GM agriculture	p. 181
Health: evidential lacunae	p. 185
The problem of yields	p. 192
GM and organic: the false dichotomy	p. 194
Impact on low- and middle-income countries: poverty, farming and colonial legacies	p. 199
Concluding remarks	p. 214
Bibliography	p. 216
Index	p. 228
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Agro-Technology

A Philosophical Introduction

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

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Other Editions and Formats

Hardcover

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