First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr Tomato and the Birth of Biotech Food

"A must read for those interested in understanding the history and future of biotech food."­­W. R. Morgan, Choice magazineIn a fast-paced narrative featuring colorful characters, surprising twists and turns, and several eye-opening revelations, Belinda Martineau chronicles the story behind the making of the Flavr Savr TM tomato, from its conception, through its much-heralded introduction to market and its subsequent ignominious disappearance. Her account serves as a cautionary tale for the biotech age, offering a revealing look at how the science of genetic engineering is actually done, how corporate decisions are really made in biotech start-ups, and how the regulatory system in the United States does and doesn't work.Most important, First Fruit goes beyond the polarized debate currently surrounding genetically modified foods to illustrate both the benefits and the risks of this new technology.

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Author's account serves as a cautionary tale for the biotech age, offering a revealing look at how the science of genetic engineering is actually done, how corporate decisions are really made in biotech start-ups, and how the regulatory system in the United States does and doesn't work. Softcover.