Professor Pence has done a masterful job in telling the story of the controversy over genetically modified food, poignantly painting the views of diverse actors and analyzing the underlying philosophies of their arguments. And yet, Designer Food is more than a treatise on the debate-it furthers an argument on the future of food on this planet, and how we are to go about ensuring its access to everyone. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the current debate on genetically modified food.

C. S. Prakash, director, Center for Plant Biotechnology Research, Tuskegee University

Designer Food is a timely, well-written narrative describing the ongoing heated debate about assuring the world adequate sustainable food production without hurting the environment or wildlife habitats. Pence argues convincingly for the development of improved crops by genetic engineering.

Norman E. Borlaug, 1970 Nobel Prize winner and Distinguished Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University

The issue of genetically modified food (GMF) is creating an hysterical anti-scientific phobia in Europe, and it threatens to create a similar furor in the U.S.A., as deep ecologists and naturalists like Jeremy Rifkin frighten the public about the dangers of GMF. In Designer Food, Pence offers an impartial, philosophical examination of the issues that is well-researched and well-argued. The work is a significant contribution to the fields of biological and agricultural ethics . . . and a true pleasure to read.

Louis Pojman, US Military Academy at West Point

A well-rounded survey of a host of issues relating to food safety.

The Bookwatch

Overall the book is very current and diverse in its coverage...The author does a good job of presenting both pros and cons

Allan Zipf, Science Books and Films

A thought-provoking survey and commentary on the subject of genetically modified food. A wealth of research and a close eye on important factors in the debate such as world hunger, and the right to know just what is being eaten, makes Designer Food a superbly organized and highly recommended resource for anyone seeking to learn more about the double-edged sword of these recent, controversial, and rapidly advancing technologies in food science and production.

Library Bookwatch