A Selective List of Books Available at the San Francisco Public Library Compiled by Library Staff

Sundays with Science

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s): Concerns and Benefits

November 8, 2015

Genetically Modified Foods

Altered Genes, Twisted Truth: How the Venture to Genetically Engineer Our Food Has Subverted Science, Corrupted Government, and Systematically Deceived the Public (2015) Druker, Steven M. Call Number: 363.1929 D843a This book tells the story of how the massive enterprise to restructure the genetic core of the world's food supply came into being, how it advanced by consistently violating the protocols of science, and how for more than three decades, hundreds of eminent biologists and esteemed institutions have systematically contorted the truth in order to conceal the unique risks of its products–and get them onto our dinner plates. Altered Genes, Twisted Truth provides a graphic account of how it not only deceived the general public, but Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, and a host of other astute and influential individuals as well. The book also exposes how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was induced to become a key accomplice.

The Taste of Tomorrow: Dispatches from the Future of Food (2012) Schonwald, Josh Call Number: 641.3 Sch653t A fascinating look at the people, trends, and technologies transforming the food of today and tomorrow. In The Taste of Tomorrow, journalist Josh Schonwald sets out on a journey to investigate the future of food, taking him across the country and into farms and labs around the globe. From Alice Waters' microfarm to a Pentagon facility that has quietly shaped American supermarkets, a rare, behind-the- scenes glimpse at what we eat today--and what we'll be eating tomorrow. Ultimately, Schonwald comes to believe that emerging scientific breakthroughs--, nanotechnology, food processing-- are essential to feeding the globe's expanding (and hungry) population.

Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist’s View of Genetically Modified Foods (2004) Fedoroff, Nina V. Call Number: 641.3 F319m In this book, Fedoroff, a plant molecular biologist/geneticist, addresses the controversies raised by techniques for producing genetically modified (GM) foods--Frankenfoods to its critics.

Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating (2003) Smith, Jeffrey M. Call Number: 631.5233 Sm613s Without knowing it, Americans eat genetically modified (GM) food every day. While the food and chemical industries claim that GMO food is safe, a considerable amount of evidence shows otherwise. In Seeds of Deception, Jeffrey Smith documents these serious health dangers and explains how corporate influence and government collusion have been used to cover them up. Smith offers easy-to-understand descriptions of genetic engineering and explains why it can result in serious health problems.

Biotechnology

Tomorrow’s Table: Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food (2008) Ronald, Pamela C. Call Number: 664 R6666t Written as part memoir, part instruction, and part contemplation, Tomorrow's Table argues that a judicious blend of two important strands of agriculture--genetic engineering and organic farming--is key to helping feed the world's growing population in an ecologically balanced manner. Pamela Ronald, a geneticist, and her husband, Raoul Adamchak, an organic farmer, take the reader inside their lives for roughly a year, allowing us to look over their shoulders so that we can see what geneticists and organic farmers actually do. This book is for anyone who wants accurate information about organic farming, genetic engineering, and their potential impacts on human health and the environment.

Biotechnology for Beginners (2008) Renneberg, Reinhard Call Number: 660.6 R294b Biotechnology is the applied science of using living organisms and their by-products for commercial development. Biotechnology for Beginners covers all major aspects of the field, from food biotechnology to enzymes, genetic engineering, viruses, antibodies, and vaccines, to environmental biotechnology, transgenic animals, analytical biotechnology, and the human genome. This book includes articles from scientists such as Alan Guttmacher, Carl Djerassi, Frances S. Ligler, Jared Diamond, Susan Greenfield, and more.

Biotechnology Demystified (2007) Walker, Sharon, Ph.D. Call Number: 660.6 W1541b This self-teaching guide explains the basic concepts and fundamentals in all the major subtopics of biotechnology. The content advances logically from the basics of molecular and cellular biology to more complex topics such as DNA, reproductive cloning, experimental procedures, infectious diseases, immunology, the Human , new drug discoveries, and genetic disorders.

Culturing Life: How Cells Became Technologies (2007) Landecker, Hannah Call Number: 571.638 L232c How did cells make the journey, one we take so much for granted, from their origin in living bodies to something that can be grown and manipulated on artificial media in the laboratory, a substantial biomass living outside a human body, plant, or animal? This is the question at the heart of this text.

Food, Inc: Mendel to Monsanto – The Promise and Perils of the Biotech Harvest (2003) Call Number: 363.192 P9364f A balanced and well-researched account of the dispute over genetically modified foods.

Plant Biotechnology: The Genetic Manipulation of Plants (2003) Slater, Adrian Call Number: 631.523 SL151p The purpose of this book is to provide an overview of the production of GM crops, highlighting the key scientific and technical advances that underpin their development. The text concentrates on the core molecular biological issues.

Transgenic Plants

GMO Food: A Reference Handbook (2014) Newton, David E. Call Number: 664 N482g (In Library Use Only) Providing an exhaustive background on the history of genetically modified organism (GMO) crops and foods as well as the controversies surrounding these products, this book presents both historical and current views of the topic that provide readers with a neutral presentation of the hard science as well as the social issues in question.

Seeds for the Future: The Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on the Environment (2007) Thomson, Jennifer A. Call Number: 631.5233 T3845s 2007 Plants have long been genetically modified through crossbreeding and other basic agricultural techniques to make crops more resilient, nutritious, and profitable. Advances in genetic engineering including the ability to blend genetic material from animals with that of plants have allowed farmers to grow crops that resist insect pests, weeds, viruses, and drought. In Seeds for the Future, Jennifer A. Thomson describes how these crops are developed, distributed, and regulated.

Genetically Modified Planet: Environmental Impacts of Genetically Engineered Plants (2004) Stewart, C. Neal Genetically Modified Planet goes beyond the headlines to investigate the state of scientific research on genetically modified plants. Stewart argues that while there are indeed real and potential risks of growing engineered crops, there are also real and overwhelmingly positive environmental benefits.

Genetically Modified Crops: Their Development, Uses, and Risks (2004) Liang, G.H. Call Number: 631.5233 G2869 (In Library Use Only) This book provides information on the integration of foreign DNA into the nucleus of a plant cell to produce a positive transformation. Authors at the forefront of this developing technology provide a comprehensive overview of transgenic crops and vital research on specific plant genera that have undergone transgenic transformation. Agricultural biotechnology has become a national and necessary mainstay of farming and food production. This book is an important scientific tool to keep you informed of the latest protocols of genetic transformation.

Genetically Modified Crops (2003) Halford, Nigel G. Call Number: 631.5233 H138g This book describes the history and development of the science and techniques that underpin plant biotechnology, GM crops that are grown commercially around the world and the new varieties that are being developed. It covers failures as well as successes. The safety record of GM crops is reviewed together with the legislation that has been adopted to cover their use. The book also deals with the concerns of consumers, the GM crop debate and the prospects for the technology.

First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr Tomato and the Birth of Genetically Engineered Food (2001) Martineau, Belinda Call Number: 635.6422 M3661f In 1994 a little biotech firm called Calgene introduced the Flavr Savr (TM) tomato, the first genetically engineered food ever brought to market. The people who created the Flavr Savr (TM) hoped eventually to develop more important crops, ones that would be higher yielding or insect and disease resistant, thus enabling farmers to feed more people and reduce their dependence on dangerous chemicals. But, the people at Calgene knew that before genetic engineering could reform high-tech agriculture, it would first have to achieve acceptance by the public.

San Francisco Public Library Databases

Science Online (Facts on File) Presents a broad range of scientific disciplines through extensive definitions, essays, diagrams, biographies, videos, and experiments on topics such as GMO’s, genetically modified foods, biotechnology, genetic engineering, and genetic manipulation. Please Note: You will need a San Francisco Public Library card and PIN to access the database.

San Francisco Public Library DVD Collection – Genetically Modified Foods

GMO OMG (2014) Seifert, Jeremy (director) Call Number: DVD 664 GMO Filmmaker Jeremy Seifert explores the potential health risks of consuming foods grown with genetically modified seeds while following one family on their yearlong quest to consume nothing but natural, organic foods. Meanwhile, an investigation into the ongoing efforts made by companies to prevent GMO labeling and convince the public that their products are safe to consume raises serious questions about our unwitting participation in a mass experiment that could cost us much more than just our health.

Genetic Chile (2012) Dudley, Christopher (producer and directory) Call Number: DVD 660.65 GENE This documentary takes a probing look at the controversial world of genetically modified foods by following the story of New Mexico's famed chile pepper. After the state's government helped fund a push toward genetic modification for the famed local crop, filmmakers were able to insist upon a rare interview with a genetic researcher on the project from NMSU, who discusses benefits and risks of altering the crop.

Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods (2005) Smith, Jeffrey M. (producer and director) and Caussade, Gerald (producer and director) Call Number: DVD 631.5233 HIDD School districts, supermarkets, and even whole countries have banned genetically engineered foods, fearing that they are not safe. Discover the evidence that confirm that these dangerous foods should never have been approved, and find out how to protect yourself, your family and the next generation. Three videos in one: includes an interview with Jeffrey M. Smith, footage of scientists, and a look at the miraculous improvement in student behavior that accompanied a change in diet at a Wisconsin school. Also included is a lecture by Smith on "The Health Dangers of Genetically Engineered Foods and Their Cover-up."