Author: Jonathan Gressel
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 1421429136
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 482

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Book Description
As the world’s population rises to an expected ten billion in the next few generations, the challenges of feeding humanity and maintaining an ecological balance will dramatically increase. Today we rely on just four crops for 80 percent of all consumed calories: wheat, rice, corn, and soybeans. Indeed, reliance on these four crops may also mean we are one global plant disease outbreak away from major famine. In this revolutionary and controversial book, Jonathan Gressel argues that alternative plant crops lack the genetic diversity necessary for wider domestication and that even the Big Four have reached a “genetic glass ceiling”: no matter how much they are bred, there is simply not enough genetic diversity available to significantly improve their agricultural value. Gressel points the way through the glass ceiling by advocating transgenics—a technique where genes from one species are transferred to another. He maintains that with simple safeguards the technique is a safe solution to the genetic glass ceiling conundrum. Analyzing alternative crops—including palm oil, papaya, buckwheat, tef, and sorghum—Gressel demonstrates how gene manipulation could enhance their potential for widespread domestication and reduce our dependency on the Big Four. He also describes a number of ecological benefits that could be derived with the aid of transgenics. A compelling synthesis of ideas from agronomy, medicine, breeding, physiology, population genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology, Genetic Glass Ceilings presents transgenics as an inevitable and desperately necessary approach to securing and diversifying the world's food supply.

Author: Christopher Cumo
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 1223

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Book Description
Readers of this expansive, three-volume encyclopedia will gain scientific, sociological, and demographic insight into the complex relationship between plants and humans across history. Comprising three volumes and approximately half a million words, this work is likely the most comprehensive reference of its kind, providing detailed information not only about specific plants and food crops such as barley, corn, potato, rice, and wheat, but also interdisciplinary content that draws on the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The entries underscore the fascination that humans have long held for plants, identifies the myriad reasons why much of life on earth would be impossible without plants, and points out the intertwined relationship of plants and humans—and how delicate this balance can be. While the majority of the content is dedicated to the food plants that are essential to human existence, material on ornamentals, fiber crops, pharmacological plants, and carnivorous plants is also included.

Author: Natalie Ferry
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 1845934091
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 440

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Book Description
The genetic modification of crops continues to be the subject of intense debate, and opinions are often strongly polarised. Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops addresses the major concerns of scientists, policy makers, environmental lobby groups and the general public regarding this controversial issue, from an editorially neutral standpoint. Included is a chapter by Bruce Tabashnik on the recent discovery of the first documented case of field-evolved resistance to a crop genetically modified to carry the gene for the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin. While the main focus is on environmental impact, food safety issues for both humans and animals are also considered. The book concludes with a discussion on the future of agricultural biotechnology in the context of sustainability, natural resource management and future global population and food supply.

Author: Gebisa Ejeta
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9812707085
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 356

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Book Description
Witchweeds (Striga species) decimate agriculture in much of Africa and parts of Asia, attacking the major cereal grains and legumes, and halving the already very low yields of subsistence farmers. Several years of research have provided promising technologies, based on the fundamental biology of the parasite?host associations, for dealing with this scourge. However, there is an apparent realization that these technologies will fail because highly successful weeds such as Striga evolve resistance to all types of controls unless proven methods are integrated with each other for a more sustainable solution.Integration is often an anathema to basic scientists who typically deal with single variables and solutions. However, key leaders in the development of the new knowledge-based control strategies, already in the field and under development, recently joined forces to develop strategies and projects in order to integrate the technologies in a symposium in Ethiopia in November 2006. The encouraging results are described in this peer-reviewed book, authored by leaders in the field who have been supplying the basic biology, genetics, biochemistry, and molecular information that have offered insights and generated technologies in how to deal with Striga.

Author: Abraham Joseph
Publisher: epubli
ISBN: 3818724393
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
Ever wondered how life is changing in the 21st century? "Life Frontiers" takes you on a thrilling exploration of biology's cutting edge. We delve into the urban jungle, where animals and plants adapt to city life. Discover how organisms thrive in the deepest darkness. Explore conservation challenges in the Anthropocene era. The book then dives into the fascinating world of plants. Learn how plants combat climate change. Uncover the secrets of nature's pharmacy. Grasp the implications of invasive species. Journey into the microbial world, examining the impact of microplastics. See how we can "rewild" our microbiome. "Life Frontiers" also unlocks the genetic revolution, exploring CRISPR technology and the ethics of gene editing. Understand the power of epigenetics and the rise of personalized medicine. We even ponder the quest for immortality! This book stands out by connecting cutting-edge research with everyday life. Instead of dry facts, "Life Frontiers" weaves a captivating narrative, making complex topics accessible. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of life, from the tiniest microbe to the largest mammal. With a focus on solutions and future possibilities, this book empowers readers to engage with the biological world around them.

Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309124948
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
Increased agricultural productivity is a major stepping stone on the path out of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but farmers there face tremendous challenges improving production. Poor soil, inefficient water use, and a lack of access to plant breeding resources, nutritious animal feed, high quality seed, and fuel and electricity-combined with some of the most extreme environmental conditions on Earth-have made yields in crop and animal production far lower in these regions than world averages. Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia identifies sixty emerging technologies with the potential to significantly improve agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Eighteen technologies are recommended for immediate development or further exploration. Scientists from all backgrounds have an opportunity to become involved in bringing these and other technologies to fruition. The opportunities suggested in this book offer new approaches that can synergize with each other and with many other activities to transform agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Author: Moshe Hirsch
Publisher: UBC Press
ISBN: 0774860332
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 217

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Book Description
Over the last twenty years, India has enacted legislation to turn crucial goals such as food security, primary education, and employment into legal rights for its citizens. But enacting laws is one thing and implementing them through an imperfect institutional structure is another. A Human Rights Based Approach to Development in India examines a diverse range of human development issues over a period of rapid economic growth in India. Demonstrating why institutional and economic development are synonymous, the essays in this volume detail the many obstacles that may hinder development. In addition, they show how the domestic policies required to implement laws may undermine India’s treaty obligations at the World Trade Organization or under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. The contributors ultimately ask whether development can be achieved by making it a legal right and whether India’s right to develop is truly at odds with its international commitments.

Author: Partha Dasgupta
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108482287
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 465

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Book Description
Questions why species are becoming extinct, and how we can protect the natural world on which we all depend.

Author: David Arthur Cleveland
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520277422
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description
Agricultural Revolutions 3.

Author: Dennis R. Heldman
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351452479
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1152

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Book Description
The Encyclopedia of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food provides users with unprecedented access to nearly 200 entries that cover the entire food system, describing the concepts and processes that are used in the production of raw agricultural materials and food product manufacturing. So that users can locate the information they need quickly without having to flip through pages and pages of content, the encyclopedia avoids unnecessary complication by presenting information in short, accessible overviews. Addresses Environmental Issues & Sustainability in the Context of 21st Century Challenges Edited by a respected team of biotechnology experts, this unrivaled resource includes descriptions and interpretations of molecular biology research, including topics on the science associated with the cloning of animals, the genetic modification of plants, and the enhanced quality of foods. It discusses current and future applications of molecular biology, with contributions on disease resistance in animals, drought-resistant plants, and improved health of consumers via nutritionally enhanced foods. Uses Illustrations to Communicate Essential Concepts & Visually Enhance the Text This one-of-a-kind periodical examines regulation associated with biotechnology applications—with specific attention to genetically modified organisms—regulation differences in various countries, and biotechnology’s impact on the evolution of new applications. The encyclopedia also looks at how biotechnology is covered in the media, as well as the biotechnology/environment interface and consumer acceptance of the products of biotechnology. Rounding out its solid coverage, the encyclopedia discusses the benefits and concerns about biotechnology in the context of risk assessment, food security, and genetic diversity. ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE This Taylor & Francis encyclopedia is also available through online subscription, offering a variety of extra benefits for both researchers, students, and librarians, including: Citation tracking and alerts Active reference linking Saved searches and marked lists HTML and PDF format options For more information, visit Taylor & Francis Online or contact us to inquire about subscription options and print/online combination packages. US: (Tel) 1.888.318.2367 / (E-mail) [email protected] International: (Tel) +44 (0) 20 7017 6062 / (E-mail) [email protected] Dennis R. Heldman speaks about his work on the CRC Press YouTube Channel.