Food Biotechnology Current Issues and Perspectives

The use of biotechnology to produce genetically engineered foods can potentially provide greater yields of nutritionally enhanced foods from less land with reduced use of pesticides and herbicides. This technology has both critics and supporters. Concerns presented to Congress include potential detrimental effects on human and animal health and the environment, and violation of religious customs. Supporters, including individual companies, trade organisations, scientific professional societies, and academic groups, promote benefits such as enhanced crop yields, better nutritional content in food, less pesticide use, and greater agricultural efficiency. They want Congress to defend the U.S. competitive position in export trade of food biotechnology products. Calls for "right-to-know" labelling or other federal regulatory requirements, on the other hand, spark concerns about possibly impeding innovation and adding costs. This book examines and provides the latest information concerning the current issues in food safety and biotechnology as well as its affects on trade and economic issues.