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REVIEWS @ THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE EHM by founding non-profit organisations identify most of the unpredicted side-effects AMERICAN EMPIRE: Economic Hit aimed at creating a stable, sustainable and for eat and the environments and an , peaceful world. Now a passionate critic o! exposé of the flawed arguments used to jus- Gore eats, ana the Truth about the "corporatocracy", Perkins has ideas for tify GE/GM crops, e.g., that they are needed by John Perklos transforming corporations into accountable to feed the world's growing population. and compassionate entities (see interview in Each chapter is headed with summar Dutton Adult, USA, 2007 this edition). A gripping inside story. information and relevant quotations to assist ISBN 0-5259-5015-X (384pp he) the skimming reader but contains solid Available: http:/www.Amazon.com GENETIC ROULETTE: information that can be explored by keen n this sequel to his bestselling 2004 The Documented Health Risks of researchers. The conclusion reiterates how Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (see Genetically Engineered Foods resistance to imposition of GE foods is 12/06), John Perkins elaborates on his expe- by Jeffrey M. Smith growing worldwide, has virtually halted the riences as an EHM with recollections of his 4 1B oy. F: irfield, | USA, 2007 introduction of new GE crop varieties and, exploits, reflections on recent return visits, ISBN .. 6 46 46809 7 3180 he) with any luck, is likely to force the with- and reassessments on the social and eco- ae -7 (318pp he) drawal of existing GE foods from the market Available: www.GeneticRoulette.com On of the world's foremost campaigners against GE technology and genetically engineered foodstuffs being foisted upon an unsuspecting public is Jeffrey Smith, execu- tive director of the US-based Institute for Responsible Technology (http://www. ResponsibleTechnology.org). To follow up his bestselling Seeds of Deception (see review, 11/02), he has produced the defini- nomic devastation his actions have brought. His travelogue takes in parts of Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and includes testimony from "jackals" (the oper- atives who move in to assassinate Third World leaders if no other forms of coercion work in buying out a nation), corporate and banking executives, CIA operatives and social justice activists (e.g., a filmmaking duo out to expose Nike's sweatshop prac- soon. Smith writes that there is still hope, now that US consumers are shifting away from GE towards organics, that legislation is brewing to enforce safety testing and mandatory labelling of GE content, and that some states and even schools are going GE- free. This is an important book for our times, and encourages us all to take action and personal responsibility for safe eating. aan : tive textbook aimed at scientist and novice = tices in Indonesia). Many of these contacts alike. Genetic Roulette has a foreword by 5 came forward after the release of Perkins's British MP Michael Meacher, the outspoken G e n et | C first book, and they add to the tales of plun- former environment minister, and has been R | der of local economies, disempowerment of vetted by a host of scientists for accuracy in 0 u e | t e already impoverished people and destruction its scientific reporting and referencing. TORU MENTED MALT Sear of fragile environments. Several disaffected The introduction of this well-designed, E ENGINED people have their say here, claiming they _ large-format hardcover book gives an have long been awake to the greedy, tyranni- overview of the deceptions, assumptions and cal ways of corporations, especially those of denials associated with GE/GM crops. The the "American Empire". Perkins urges book is divided into four sections, covering: ordinary Americans to wake up to the fact the documented health risks of GE foods that their disproportionately high standard of (allergies to soybeans, for instance, have living comes at the expense of poor people been on the rise since the introduction of GE in resource-rich Third World countries. varieties); the inadequate regulations and Perkins himself has been trying to make safeguards in place to protect public health; amends for the wrongs he caused as an industry studies that are not competent to EHM by founding non-profit organisations aimed at creating a stable, sustainable and peaceful world. Now a passionate critic of the "corporatocracy", Perkins has ideas for transforming corporations into accountable and compassionate entities (see interview in this edition). A gripping inside story. 68 = NEXUS identify most of the unpredicted side-effects for health and the environment; and an exposé of the flawed arguments used to jus- tify GE/GM crops, e.g., that they are needed to feed the world's growing population. Each chapter is headed with summary information and relevant quotations to assist the skimming reader but contains solid information that can be explored by keen researchers. The conclusion reiterates how resistance to imposition of GE foods is growing worldwide, has virtually halted the introduction of new GE crop varieties and, with any luck, is likely to force the with- drawal of existing GE foods from the market soon. Smith writes that there is still hope, now that US consumers are shifting away from GE towards organics, that legislation is brewing to enforce safety testing and mandatory labelling of GE content, and that some states and even schools are going GE- free. This is an important book for our times, and encourages us all to take action and personal responsibility for safe eating. Genetic Roulette Le UMEM THO HEALTIL Ase: 2ENETICALLY BRIGIMEEMEL FOLK: Jetirey MoSmilti Ss. ee ~*~‘ www.nexusmagazine.com AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2007