For advanced undergraduates, graduates, young professionals, and other interested in scientific intricacies, Lurquin traces the triumphs and setbacks in the development of plant genetic engineering. He assumes readers to understand elementary classical and molecular genetics. His goal is to let people entering science understand the process of discovery and the uneven course of research. He claims objectivity, but within an underlying faith in inevitable scientific progress. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Providing the first account of the story behind genetically engineered plants, Paul F. Lurquin covers the controversial birth of the field, its sudden death, phoenixlike reemergence, and ultimate triumph as not only a legitimate field of science but a new tool of multinational corporate interests. In addition, Lurquin looks ahead to the potential impact this revolutionary technology will have on human welfare.As Lurquin shows, it was the intense competition between international labs that resulted in the creation of the first transgenic plants. Two very different approaches to plant genetic engineering came to fruition at practically the same time, and Lurquin's account demonstrates how cross-fertilization between the two areas was critical to success. The scientists concerned were trying to tackle some very basic scientific problems and did not foresee the way that corporations would apply their methodology. With detailed accounts of the work of individual scientists and teams all over the world, Lurquin pieces together a remarkable account.
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