Describes how misguided activism and government policies are squandering potential advances in biotechnology.
Foreword by Norman E. Borlaug Prologue by John H. Moore Acknowledgments A Brave New World of Biotechnology? More Like a Brave Old World! Myths, Mistakes, Misconceptions, and Mendacity Science, Common Sense, and Nonsense Caution, Precaution, and the Precautionary Principle The Vagaries of U.S. Regulation Legal Liability Issues The Vagaries of Foreign and International Regulation European Resistance to Biotechnology Climbing Out of the Quagmire Notes Index
HENRY I. MILLER, M.D., is a Research Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, where, since 1994, he has focused on the relationship between science and regulation, models for regulatory reform, and federal and international oversight of new advances in biotechnology. A physician and molecular biologist, he served for 17 years at the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He is the author or editor of six books, including To America's Health and Public Controversy in Biotechnology, as well as hundreds of articles in such publications as Forbes, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Policy Review, and Nature Biotechnology. GREGORY CONKO is Director of Food Safety Policy with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, an interest group based in Washington, D.C. He is also co-founder and Vice President of the AgBioWorld Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides information to teachers, journalists, policymakers, and the general public about developments in plant science, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture. His writings have appeared in scholarly journals, newspapers, and magazines, and he frequently participates in international conferences on food safety and trade.
"Miller and Conko brilliantly expose the peril of allowing the
precautionary principle to drive risk analysis and policymaking.
Their thorough and articulate deconstruction of the precautionary
principle should serve as a guide to developing regulatory policy,
not only for biotechnology, but for any new idea or
technology."-Nick Smith, (R-MI), Chairman House Science
Subcommittee on Research
"Miller and Conko describe biotech's potential to both alleviate
human suffering and improve environmental stewardship, and they
offer science-based models for regulation. This book can help us
fight the short-sighted bureaucrats and emotion-driven activists.
It's time for the rest of us to do our part--read the book, fight
the power, and feed the people. The hard work is done; all we have
left to do is get policy-makers to do the right thing."-Penn
Jillette
"Misguided public policies have seriously restricted research on,
and applications of, genetic engineering in agriculture. Miller and
Conko analyze why and how this has occurred. They point out the
danger that the present unwarranted regulatory oppression will
become the norm, and they make a strong case for drastic change in
present policies. Their call for policies based on realistic
risk-benefit considerations needs to be heard loudly by those
responsible for the present fiasco."-Paul D. Boyer, Emeritus
Professor University of California, Los Angeles, Co-Winner of the
1997 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
"This volume simply eclipses anything else on the subject. Miller
and Conko offer a masterful expose of the flaws in current public
policy towards biotechnology, a lucid discussion of the reasons for
them, and innovative proposals for essential reforms."-Michael H.
Mellon, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics University of
California, San Diego School of Medicine
"The authors show how foolish policies--premised on junk science,
media sensationalism and the mixed motives of bureaucrats and
corporations--are choking off a wonder-technology....[M]essrs.
Miller and Conko urge those who know the truth about gene splicing
to tell it--forcefully."-The Wall Street Journal
"The book is valuable in a number or ways: it is readable and well
referenced so all readers have an opportunity both to read the
original claims and to follow later developments. It is a helpful
summary of much that has happened in this field over the past ten
years. It argues passionately for a simpler view of regulation and
that voice should be heard as society scrambles to over-regulate
almost everything in sight without considering the cost....[f]ull
marks to Miller and Conko whou put their view so well; read the
book and think about it, to see if we can get a more level playing
field about regulation versus risk."-Journal of Commercial
Biotechnology
?[A] new book that questions the wisdom of current gene-splicing
regulations.?-Townhall.com
?[S]erves as a fascinating study in how bad science and
intellectual perfidy can so easily hijack government response to an
issue. Miller and Conko add a solemn - and quite disheartening -
reminder that the wealthy nations of the world will not be the ones
to suffer the most from regulatory crush. Those at the margins of
development, where an increase in crop yield or a decrease in pest
damage could mean surplus instead of subsistence, or survival
instead of starvation, will likely feel the greatest impact of GM
agriculture. The unjustifiable obstruction of this humanitarian
potential by so-called consumer advocates and environmental
activists makes these well-fed protestors appear utterly
unconcerned about the troubles of the real world.?-The New York
Times
?[T]he book is perfect for policymakers....If the authors are
correct--and they make a compelling case--then GM food phobes and
regulators have made the world a poorer place. The losses could
become even graver if GM food phobes continue to have their
way....Great costs have already come from the myth that GM foods
are unfit for consumption. "Frankenfoods" should have a place at
the table of all who want them.?-The Washington Times
?A fine look at all the issues involved, and the myths and
realities of 'frankenfoods'.?-MBR Bookwatch
?For those who cannot wait for Crichton to novelise the genetic
revolution, and are interested in understanding the reasons
agricultural biotechnology has not lived up to its potential and
what policies are needed to change that, we join Barron's in
recommending Henry Miller and Gregory Conko's The Frankenfood
Myth.?-Regulation Magazine
?Miller and Conko present a timely treatise on how inappropriate
and unscientific regulations are stifling biotechnology as it
relates to the food industry. They argue that the costs of
kowtowing to all current regulations have caused a potentially
dangerous curtailment of new research at universities and small
biotech businesses. Numerous examples are provided to show how the
misinformed--press, responsible government agencies, and big
business--have joined forces to limit, singularly, the use of
genetic engineering to improve plant performance....An important
book, well suited to university courses dealing with science
history or policy, as well as to food policy makers. Highly
recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through
professionals.?-Choice
?Readers who care a lot about regulatory processes will
unquestionably enjoy The Frankenfood Myth.?-New York Post
?The authors show how foolish policies--premised on junk science,
media sensationalism and the mixed motives of bureaucrats and
corporations--are choking off a wonder-technology....[M]essrs.
Miller and Conko urge those who know the truth about gene splicing
to tell it--forcefully.?-The Wall Street Journal
?The book is valuable in a number or ways: it is readable and well
referenced so all readers have an opportunity both to read the
original claims and to follow later developments. It is a helpful
summary of much that has happened in this field over the past ten
years. It argues passionately for a simpler view of regulation and
that voice should be heard as society scrambles to over-regulate
almost everything in sight without considering the cost....[f]ull
marks to Miller and Conko whou put their view so well; read the
book and think about it, to see if we can get a more level playing
field about regulation versus risk.?-Journal of Commercial
Biotechnology
?The heated debate over so-called Frankenfoods is not only about
the pros and cons of genetically manipulating crops to improve
their nutritional value and resistance to disease; it also concerns
intellectual honesty. For years, activists opposed to the new
science have been spreading unfounded and inaccurate horror
stories, threatening to derail progress vitally needed to feed the
world. The Frankenfood Myth by Henry Miller and Gregory Conko takes
a long, hard look a both the new agricultural biotechnology and the
policy debate surrounding it.?-Barron's
?The strength of this book is that the authors of The Frankenfood
Myth are clearly very knowledgeable in the area of policy and
regulation as it relates to gene-spliced crops. Their extensive
historical treatment of regulation and risk assessment in the USA
is especially good reading.?-Crop Science
?This book provides a fascinating insight into the chasm between
hard-science and consumer foodism, and how to 'build bridges'
between these sectors ... Whatever your views on GM foods, this
book will move you to want to know more.?-Dietetics Today
?[A]n important book.?- The Financial Times
?[T]hought-provoking.?- Nature Biotechnology
?[A]n important book.?-The Financial Times
?[T]hought-provoking.?-Nature Biotechnology
?[A]n important book.??The Financial Times
?[T]hought-provoking.??Nature Biotechnology
"ÝA¨ new book that questions the wisdom of current gene-splicing
regulations."-Townhall.com
"ÝA¨n important book."-The Financial Times
"ÝS¨erves as a fascinating study in how bad science and
intellectual perfidy can so easily hijack government response to an
issue. Miller and Conko add a solemn - and quite disheartening -
reminder that the wealthy nations of the world will not be the ones
to suffer the most from regulatory crush. Those at the margins of
development, where an increase in crop yield or a decrease in pest
damage could mean surplus instead of subsistence, or survival
instead of starvation, will likely feel the greatest impact of GM
agriculture. The unjustifiable obstruction of this humanitarian
potential by so-called consumer advocates and environmental
activists makes these well-fed protestors appear utterly
unconcerned about the troubles of the real world."-The New York
Times
"ÝT¨he book is perfect for policymakers....If the authors are
correct--and they make a compelling case--then GM food phobes and
regulators have made the world a poorer place. The losses could
become even graver if GM food phobes continue to have their
way....Great costs have already come from the myth that GM foods
are unfit for consumption. "Frankenfoods" should have a place at
the table of all who want them."-The Washington Times
"ÝT¨hought-provoking."-Nature Biotechnology
"[T]hought-provoking."-Nature Biotechnology
"[A] new book that questions the wisdom of current gene-splicing
regulations."-Townhall.com
"[A]n important book."-The Financial Times
"[T]he book is perfect for policymakers....If the authors are
correct--and they make a compelling case--then GM food phobes and
regulators have made the world a poorer place. The losses could
become even graver if GM food phobes continue to have their
way....Great costs have already come from the myth that GM foods
are unfit for consumption. "Frankenfoods" should have a place at
the table of all who want them."-The Washington Times
"A fine look at all the issues involved, and the myths and
realities of 'frankenfoods'."-MBR Bookwatch
"For those who cannot wait for Crichton to novelise the genetic
revolution, and are interested in understanding the reasons
agricultural biotechnology has not lived up to its potential and
what policies are needed to change that, we join Barron's in
recommending Henry Miller and Gregory Conko's The Frankenfood
Myth."-Regulation Magazine
"Miller and Conko present a timely treatise on how inappropriate
and unscientific regulations are stifling biotechnology as it
relates to the food industry. They argue that the costs of
kowtowing to all current regulations have caused a potentially
dangerous curtailment of new research at universities and small
biotech businesses. Numerous examples are provided to show how the
misinformed--press, responsible government agencies, and big
business--have joined forces to limit, singularly, the use of
genetic engineering to improve plant performance....An important
book, well suited to university courses dealing with science
history or policy, as well as to food policy makers. Highly
recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through
professionals."-Choice
"Readers who care a lot about regulatory processes will
unquestionably enjoy The Frankenfood Myth."-New York Post
"The heated debate over so-called Frankenfoods is not only about
the pros and cons of genetically manipulating crops to improve
their nutritional value and resistance to disease; it also concerns
intellectual honesty. For years, activists opposed to the new
science have been spreading unfounded and inaccurate horror
stories, threatening to derail progress vitally needed to feed the
world. The Frankenfood Myth by Henry Miller and Gregory Conko takes
a long, hard look a both the new agricultural biotechnology and the
policy debate surrounding it."-Barron's
"The strength of this book is that the authors of The Frankenfood
Myth are clearly very knowledgeable in the area of policy and
regulation as it relates to gene-spliced crops. Their extensive
historical treatment of regulation and risk assessment in the USA
is especially good reading."-Crop Science
"This book provides a fascinating insight into the chasm between
hard-science and consumer foodism, and how to 'build bridges'
between these sectors ... Whatever your views on GM foods, this
book will move you to want to know more."-Dietetics Today
"[S]erves as a fascinating study in how bad science and
intellectual perfidy can so easily hijack government response to an
issue. Miller and Conko add a solemn - and quite disheartening -
reminder that the wealthy nations of the world will not be the ones
to suffer the most from regulatory crush. Those at the margins of
development, where an increase in crop yield or a decrease in pest
damage could mean surplus instead of subsistence, or survival
instead of starvation, will likely feel the greatest impact of GM
agriculture. The unjustifiable obstruction of this humanitarian
potential by so-called consumer advocates and environmental
activists makes these well-fed protestors appear utterly
unconcerned about the troubles of the real world."-The New York
Times
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