Regulating Agricultural Biotechnology: Economics and Policy: 30 (Natural Resource Management and Policy, 30) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 038736952X ISBN 13: 9780387369525

Publisher: Springer, 2006

Synopsis

REGULATING AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: ECONOMICS AND POLICY Chapter 1 REGULATING AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Richard E. Just,* David Zilberman/ and Julian M. Alston * University of Maryland, * University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Davis Abstract: This chapter introduces the topic of this book, drawing upon the content of its chapters. An overview is provided on the economics of technological regulation as applied to agricultural crop biotechnologies. Key elements of agricultural biotechnology regulation in the United States are summarized. Key words: agricultural biotechnologies, causes and consequences of technological regula­ tion, overview and synthesis 1. INTRODUCTION Agricultural biotechnologies apply modern knowledge in molecular and cell biology to produce new varieties and similar genetic materials. The use of genetically modified (GM) crop varieties has grown dramatically since they were introduced in 1995, and large portions of the land allocated to corn, soybeans, and cotton are grown with these varieties. The evidence from the United States, Canada, China, India, Brazil, and Argentina suggests that these applications of biotechnology in agriculture increase yield, reduce the use of pesticides, and save production costs.

About this title

About the Author

Richard E. Just is Distinguished University Professor and former Chair, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland at College Park.

Julian M. Alston is Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California at Davis.

David Zilberman is Chair, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California at Berkeley.

From the Back Cover

This book presents the first thorough economic analysis of current agricultural biotechnology regulation. The contributors, most of whom are agricultural economists working either in universities or NGOs, address issues such as commercial pesticides, the costs of approving new products, liability, benefits, consumer acceptance, regulation and its impacts, transgenic crops, social welfare implications, and biosafety.

Richard E. Just is Distinguished University Professor and former Chair, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland at College Park.

Julian M. Alston is Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California at Davis.

David Zilberman is Chair, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California at Berkeley.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 038736952X
• ISBN 13: 9780387369525
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 740
• Editor: Just Richard E., Alston Julian M., Zilberman David