Lords Of The Harvest: Biotech, Big Money, And The Future Of Food |  | Author: Dan Charles
Publisher: Basic Books
List Price: $17.50
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Seller: outlook_books
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 284709
Media: Paperback
Pages: 368
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 073820773X
Dewey Decimal Number: 631.5
EAN: 9780738207735
ASIN: 073820773X
Publication Date: December 17, 2002
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Amazon.com Review
Just as science learned to decode DNA through reverse genetics, a little bit of reverse reading might help explain why NPR correspondent Daniel Charles set out to write the agrobiotech equivalent of fly-on-the-wall industry epics like World War 3.0, Liar's Poker, and Hit Men. Read the epilogue first--here's where he most eloquently explains the dueling American myths (of both scientific progress and the sanctity of the land as God-given gifts) that have fueled the recent battle of biotechnology against environmentalism and consumer advocacy over genetically modified crops. It's a necessarily stirring justification for a story that, however well told, may lack for a general audience some of the pathos or glamour of similar tussles within such fields as medicine or entertainment. This is really the story of one company--American chemical giant Monsanto, which, some 20 years ago, pushed forward the technology of injecting different plants such as corn and soybeans with genes that would make them able to act as their own insecticides (insects would simply die upon eating them). From there, Monsanto went on to orchestrate a stunning takeover of much of the seed business, but its plans for what seemed like world agricultural domination were trounced when first European, then U.S. activists sparked a massive backlash against GMOs ("genetically modified organisms") pumped up with the company's patented genes--even absent substantive scientific evidence that genetically modified crops were any more harmful (or, for that matter, more modified) to people or the environment than those without designer genes. Given the recent explosion of genetic research, it's fascinating to see the relatively primitive origins of this field in the early 1980s, and to discover the inner workings of world agribusiness, especially (as the farm-bred Charles rightly points out) in a society where most people have no idea where their food comes from, or what happens to it along the way. It's just that Charles's valiant attempt to make a bunch of nerdy, competitive scientists and soulless, profit-grubbing Monsanto execs interesting is mostly in vain. Still, you have to love the early '90s comedy of errors that was the grandiose launch and swift demise of the superengineered tomato--especially when an old-school tomato breeder tries to tell her boss, a biotech exec and agricultural illiterate, that nature's breeding process can't be accelerated to meet production goals. His curt response? "Think out of the box." (Or crate, as it were.) --Timothy Murphy
Product Description
A riveting tale of the battle over genetically engineered foods, and an inside look at a biotech food empire. Ultimately a story of idealism, and conflicting dreams about the shape of a better world. Softcover.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 A thrilling, yet depressing, look at agricultural biotech and its (unreached) promises for the future July 28, 2009
C. T. Hunter (Gainesville, FL United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While being somewhat outdated now, LORDS OF THE HARVEST remains the most informative book that I've read covering the heated debate over agricultural biotech. While Daniel Charles seriously attempts an unbiased presentation of the information, he comes across (as practically all well-informed and intellectually honest people do) as supportive of biotechnology and agricultural business. That being said, he doesn't hold back from strong condemnation of errors committed by Monsanto and other companies. The end result is a clear and concise overview of the history, drama, and controversy of genetic engineering and its influence on business, agriculture, and politics.
The first half of the book presents the history of the field of genetic manipulation in plants that has made so much possible today. This part of the book tells of the impossible-seeming (30 years ago) accomplishments made by scientists all over the world as barrier after barrier was broken, and theory was demonstrated by practice. DNA from one organism could be transferred to another and unique functional proteins could be made. With the development of the tools allowing researchers to accomplish this, a seemingly limitless number of possibilities were opened. This part of the book is captivating and filled with promise. You can't help but to feel the excitement of both the researchers involved and the businessmen behind the scenes. Watching as some (but not all) of the first GMO products are grown, tested, and succeed is thrilling. Seeing the forces of world corporations promote, fight over, and corner various parts of the business is both alarming and impressive. Very positive and filled with new ideas to better the world (and make money doing it), this part of the book flies by in a rush of excitement for the future and wonder about the amazing secrets it holds.
But then you get to the distressing parts of the book. First, corporate mandates, Wall Street expectations, and political distrust rear their ugly heads. These forces can hamper any burgeoning industry, but when you then include environmental activists, the industry and technology as a whole is threatened with its life. Organizations with massive support across the globe (Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, ect) set their stance against genetically modified crops (or anything derived from them), and begin campaigns of fear-mongering and misinformation that lead to the near downfall of Monsanto and all of its ilk. As investigations sponsored by both governmental agencies and companies around the world find that genetic modification of plants in itself presents no novel threat to the environment or human health, protesters and environmentalist organizers gin up campaigns to sway an ignorant public's attitude against the technology. As the Green Party rises and politicians feel the heat from massive efforts to fight the progress of agribusiness, more and more limitations and flat out banishments come to be. The result is an industry severely restricted and of possibilities unreached. This part of the book is extremely frustrating and sometimes down right maddening, as you watch so many great promises of the future come to a screeching halt. Organic farmers and environmental organizations have profited immensely at the expense of an industry that could have revolutionized agriculture for the betterment of the world.
Since the time of this book's publishing, the controversy surrounding GMO-containing foodstuffs has seemingly calmed, largely due to the under-the-radar approach of the plant biotech industry, but also due to more general acceptance of much of the world towards the technology. Europe remains a bastion of backwardness in its unyielding stance against GMOs (to their own economic detriment), but America and its followers continue down the road of progress. Monsanto, DuPont, and their competitors have survived and thrived in recent times, and the promise of the future is as large as ever. The fight isn't over (as 'organic' foods gain popularity with an uninformed populace) but the outlook has grown brighter than it was in 2001.
While enjoyable and certainly recommended to anyone interested in the subject, this book would be particularly valuable for those considering working for (or against) an agribiotech company. The inner workings of these generally large companies is revealed in a way that I haven't come across before. The often 'cut-throat' environment of industry is juxtaposed with the incredibly fast-paced and goal-oriented nature of profit-driven research, painting a very informative picture of how these companies work. Some will be repulsed and some will be attracted to the idea of working for Monsanto or one of its competitors, but reading this book will surely help shape ideas of what to expect if you do. And learning about the often tumultuous history of these companies and the men that shaped them (many of whom are still active players in the field) will help bring perspective to future and current employees.
Overall, I can't recommend this book enough. To my knowledge, there doesn't exist a more thorough and unbiased documentation of the history of agricultural biotech than this book. Extremely well-written, this one will be highly enjoyable and educational to both newcomers and those already familiar with the subject.
 Good book June 18, 2008
Elias Chikoto (Basel, Switzerland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book provides a good and balanced background into how Monsanto changed the face of commercial agriculture. The author manages to stay relatively neutral in the battle between the opposing biotech proponents and "GMO free" activists. The only "slightly" negative point is that the book is now about 8 years old and an update would be most appreciated!
The History of Biotechnology April 30, 2008
B. Emery
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had to read this book for a class at Cornell (life science entrepreneurship), and have to say I really enjoyed it. You must be into biology to get the beginning of the book, however, or it would appear pretty dry. The end is where most of the business insight comes into play. Overall, the book uses research, interviews, and analysis to paint an impressive picture of the emergence of biotechnology, using both scientific and economic points of view. If you are interested in where your food comes from, this book will both reassure and disturb you.
EXCELLENT Survey of Plant Biotech April 7, 2008
N. Frogge
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Daniel Charles crafts an incredibly well-balanced and thoughtful account of plant biotechnology from inception to near-present. With evenhanded treatment of both sides of the debate, Charles weaves a fascinating and informative narrative.
Historical Biotech stories January 12, 2008
J. J. Naleway (Eugene, OR)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I worked at Monsanto (Immunology Dept.) in the early 80's when all of the plant biotech stuff was going on, so it was fun to read about the guys I knew there and their collaborations. Some photos and extras. A little bit dramatic, but fun to read. Funny to think that this is now biotech history!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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