Genetically Modified Foods     [Text-only version for printing]     [back to graphical version]
The following guide provides Web site links, a list of selected books, and access to online periodical articles about this subject. The Web site links have been researched, evaluated, and annotated by Rio Hondo College Librarians. The Librarians have specifically selected these Web sites to meet the research needs of Rio Hondo College students

Web Site Links    

Center for Food Safety     http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/home.cfm
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) is a non-profit public interest and environmental advocacy membership organization established for the purpose of challenging harmful food production technologies and promoting sustainable alternatives. This site is definitely biased against genetically engineered foods and has very current news article links on the subject as well as links to sage food lists for consumers.

GM Food Special Report from New Scientist.com     http://www.newscientist.com/hottopics/gm/
This site posts recent articles from the U.K. based New Scientist magazine on the topic of GM goods. Each article is followed by links to persons or institutions mentioned in the article for further research. The articles seem to be a mix of those favorable to the use of genetically modified food and those that speak of the risks involved. 
Very current news articles.

Genetically Engineered Organisms - Public Issues Education (GEO-PIE)     http://www.geo-pie.cornell.edu/gmo.html
This Web site is a production of the Cornell University Cooperative Extension Program. "The GEO-PIE Project was developed to create objective educational materials exploring the complex scientific and social issues associated with genetic engineering, to help readers consider those issues for themselves." Well laid out site with balanced information. Especially interesting is the "In the Market" section, which details which food products we are currently eating that have been genetically engineered.

Monsanto Company     http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/default.asp
One of the leading producers of genetically modified corn and other biotech crops, the Monsanto Web site states that its "solutions are designed to improve food production and quality while respecting the environment as well as regional and cultural diversity." See particularly the Science & Technology section as well as the Literature and Related Sources (http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/sci_tech/literature/default.asp).

Organic Consumers Association     http://www.organicconsumers.org/
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA), is a non-profit public interest organization.  They deal with "crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, corporate accountability and environmental sustainability."  News releases and articles available on site.

PBS - Harvest of Fear     http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/
Nova/Frontline report on the debate over genetically modified foods.  Links to video interviews, texts and links about the topic.

Union of Concerned Scientists- Food and Environment     http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/biotechnology/index.cfm
This site gives a good overview of the issues surrounding biotechnology and includes backgrounders, a FAQ, letters and comments, and an archive of earlier information. Of particular interest is the Guide "Genetically Engineered Foods Allowed on the Market" (http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/biotechnology/page.cfm?pageID=337)  --  and the Special Report on "Pharm and Industrial Crops: the next wave of agricultural biotechnology"   (http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/biotechnology/page.cfm?pageID=1033).

Books    
The following books can be located in the Rio Hondo College Library.

Reference Books (2nd floor)
Non-circulating:

Encyclopedia of bioethics
Call number: Ref QH332.E52 2004

The ethics of genetic engineering (At issue) (Opposing viewpoints series)
Call number:  Ref QH438.7.E842 2005

Genetic engineering (The history of issues) (An opposing viewpoints series)
Call number:  Ref QH442.G44313 2006

Suggested Subject Headings
For additional titles on this topic at Rio Hondo, click on the following Library of Congress subject headings:

Crops--Genetic engineering

Food--Biotechnology

Genetic engineering--History

Genetic engineering--Moral and ethical aspects

Genetically modified foods

Plant genetic engineering

Transgenic plants

Articles  
The Rio Hondo College Library provides online access to full-text articles through our online databases - http://library.riohondo.edu/online_databases/index.htm.  Please note:  you must be a Rio Hondo College student, faculty, staff or board member to use these services.

The 8 sample searches below are from the ProQuest database. Use Advanced Search and type each term in a separate box:

    1.  (SUB(genetically altered foods) ) [from Peer-Reviewed journals]
    2.  (SUB(genetically altered foods) and StarLink )
    3.  (SUB(genetically altered foods) and SUB(food safety) )
    4.  (SUB(genetically altered foods) and CO(Monsanto))
    5.  (SUB(agricultural biotechnology) )
    6.  (SUB(genetically altered foods) and European Union )
    7.  (Frankenfood )
    8.  (transgenic crops)

Researched and evaluated by:
J. Coe, Librarian 2/2003
last update: E. Ball, Librarian 3/2008

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