1st Edition

Anti-GenetiX The Emergence of the Anti-GM Movement

By Derrick A. Purdue Copyright 2000
    178 Pages
    by Routledge

    This title was first published in 2000:  The development of genetically-modified foods has given rise to much widespread and heated debate on the possible consequences - both positive and negative - of this new technology. This book not only addresses the broad issues involved (outlining the connections between gene patenting and biotechnology and their impact on international relations), but also, for the first time, examines the social movement emerging against GM food. Anti-GenetiX traces this movement from its emergence and shows how and why it expanded from a small expert concern to the current huge political uproar. It explores the contribution this movement makes to shaping global civil society and argues that such global social movements will become increasingly common in the global age.

    Contents: Genetic patenting: knowledge, global governance and the anti-GM movement; Patenting discourses: enclosure and expert systems; Global governance: hegemonic trips, biotech and the WTO; The counter-expert challenge: NGO leadership in the anti-GM movement; Cosmopolitan networking: counter-experts and global civil society; Global civil society and global governance: NGOs and the FAO in Leipzig; Conclusion: counter-experts, social movements and global politics; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    Derrick A. Purdue, Research Fellow, Cities Research Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.

    ’...essential reading for anyone interested to learn about the origins of the opposition to genetically modified food...this timely contribution to the sociology of new social movements should be read by industrialists, government officials and agricultural advisors as well as by green activists.’ Professor Harry Rothman, Bristol University, UK ’It gives a lot of information on issues such as intellectual property rights, application of patenting to genes and the consolidation of expert systems. The book is recommended for people who want to take part in the global GM food discussions.’ LEISA Magazine ’...a good account of some of the key NGO players...and their framing of the issues around the anti GM seed debates...a rich and informed analysis of NGO network dynamics...’ New Genetics and Society