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ssurber98's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I really enjoyed 2/3s of this book. But the end felt like it was just a bash on Greenpeace and other activists groups alike. I share the same values as Lynas so maybe that’s why I felt the last third wasn’t necessary or needed to be that long.
dansquire's review against another edition
5.0
This is a truly eye-opening book. Reading it has made me realise just how many negative myths and misconceptions about GMO products I was exposed to when growing up – and the political interests behind them. Lynas works through the issues fairly and methodically, giving plenty of space to show both sides of the argument, even though the topic is contentious and emotionally-charged. It's also very easy to read (at least until the last couple of chapters, which get a bit more dense and philosophical).
It's hard to get over the ingrained preconceptions that GMOs (and especially Monsanto) are evil and cancerous. But Lynas makes a convincing, well-sourced argument, showing step by step how little evidence there is that GMOs have any adverse health effects. He also shows the growth of the anti-GMO movement, and how it is ideologically driven rather than science-based. By the end most readers will find themselves raging against Greenpeace and other NGOs who have deliberately ignored the science to keep GMOs out of circulation, despite the potentially enormous benefits to the climate and the rural poor in developing countries.
The central point of the book is this: when environmentalists are so quick to condemn climate change deniers for cynically ignoring the scientific consensus, how can they totally ignore the science on GMOs?
A brilliant read. Highly recommended.
It's hard to get over the ingrained preconceptions that GMOs (and especially Monsanto) are evil and cancerous. But Lynas makes a convincing, well-sourced argument, showing step by step how little evidence there is that GMOs have any adverse health effects. He also shows the growth of the anti-GMO movement, and how it is ideologically driven rather than science-based. By the end most readers will find themselves raging against Greenpeace and other NGOs who have deliberately ignored the science to keep GMOs out of circulation, despite the potentially enormous benefits to the climate and the rural poor in developing countries.
The central point of the book is this: when environmentalists are so quick to condemn climate change deniers for cynically ignoring the scientific consensus, how can they totally ignore the science on GMOs?
A brilliant read. Highly recommended.
erika_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
A quick and important read. Chapters 5, 6, and 8 stand out. The most important contribution is the discussion in chapter 5 (and really chapter 6) indicating that the anti-GMO movement (which clearly originates in the western world and probably mostly within a narrow socioeconomic band) has had a profoundly harmful impact on poor people of color in the developing world -- see chapter 6 especially, entitled, Let Them Eat Organic Baby Corn -- and his descriptions of the real-world impact in Africa, based on his travels, is really intense and moving. Chapter 8, What The anti-GMO Activists Got Right, is important -- and it's key that he includes it -- especially the argument that public policy discussions need to account for how new technologies affect the balance of power, and his concession that some opponents of GMO really do understand the science but are focused on different issues.
wordleturtle's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Gripping from cover to cover, which is not necessarily what you'd expect from a science book!
Not overwhelmingly science heavy, also not necessarily what you'd expect, so this book can be enjoyed by readers with or without a backround in STEM.
Not overwhelmingly science heavy, also not necessarily what you'd expect, so this book can be enjoyed by readers with or without a backround in STEM.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
aurorabulgaris's review against another edition
4.0
I'm unsure about the function of this book.
Was it:
1. To convert anti-bitoech people? I think it'd fail as it provides ample evidence of the safety and suitability of GMOs to fulfill the order they promised ~40 years ago, while most anti-gmo ppl are not so for the lack of evidence, but with other considerations entirely.
2. To provide a confidence boost to the supporters of the technology? Sure - it provides ample evidence (Esp with references) about the potential benefits and proven safety of biotech foods. But what's the value is preaching to the choir? I wouldn't know.
3. To provide insight into the truly relevant concerns of select anti-gmo activists for the pro-gmo crowd to consider and use as a realistic conversation starter? That could've been it! A gold mine - insider knowledge in what makes deniers of the tech tick so proponents can learn to talk and not shy away or worse talk down to them. But this was only about 1 chapter of the whole book towards the end. I wish it was more the focus of it. It was truly interesting and valuable!
All in all I enjoyed the book, but I desperately wish it had a different focus.
Was it:
1. To convert anti-bitoech people? I think it'd fail as it provides ample evidence of the safety and suitability of GMOs to fulfill the order they promised ~40 years ago, while most anti-gmo ppl are not so for the lack of evidence, but with other considerations entirely.
2. To provide a confidence boost to the supporters of the technology? Sure - it provides ample evidence (Esp with references) about the potential benefits and proven safety of biotech foods. But what's the value is preaching to the choir? I wouldn't know.
3. To provide insight into the truly relevant concerns of select anti-gmo activists for the pro-gmo crowd to consider and use as a realistic conversation starter? That could've been it! A gold mine - insider knowledge in what makes deniers of the tech tick so proponents can learn to talk and not shy away or worse talk down to them. But this was only about 1 chapter of the whole book towards the end. I wish it was more the focus of it. It was truly interesting and valuable!
All in all I enjoyed the book, but I desperately wish it had a different focus.
lauralantran_'s review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant! Jam-packed with info more than just GMOs, super useful for my research on AO not to mention so well written.
laumauflau's review against another edition
2.0
I’m pro-GMO but this book was very slow and kind of redundant and prolix.
mklong's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting take on the controversy around genetically modified crops by a man who was once an anti-GMO activist who flipped to the opposite side when he learned more about the science behind them. Poor messaging and communication at the outset allowed a false narrative about the safety of these products to take over, which was unfortunate. However, the larger debate now is about who controls these products, who has access to them, and how that affects global food supplies. Fascinating stuff.