Genetic Engineering Dream or Nightmare?: Turning the Tide on the Brave New World of Bad Science and Big Business

Genetic engineering is one of the most controversial and passionately debated issues today. This book is an in-depth, yet accessible, exposition of the science behind genetic engineering technology, written by a scientist who has herself carried out research in genetics and taught the subject for many years. It examines the social and political implications of the intimate involvement of genetic engineering science with big corporate business, and it points to serious hazards that are inherent in the technology but are largely ignored by practitioners and regulators alike. The author calls for a halt to commercialisation and for an independent public enquiry into the hazards involved, taking into account the most comprehensive scientific findings as well as the socio-economic and ethical implications.

Dr Mae-Wan Ho is a well known and respected British scientist, Reader in Biology at the Open University and Fellow of the US National Genetics Foundation. She has debated the issues involved in genetic engineering at the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Parliament and many international conferences. She is widely in demand as a broadcaster and lecturer. Since 1994, she has been scientific advisor to the Third World Network on genetic engineering, biotechnology and biosafety.