Safe or Not Safe aims to present a comprehensive picture of food-related risk issues, as observed in daily life. Included are numerous real-life examples showing how scientists measure, assess, evaluate and manage potential risks, and how this helps us to decide how to manage our food chain and ultimately the food we eat.
The book is divided into four interrelated chapters. Chapter one deals with risk: Risk examples are given from our daily life, illustrating what we need to know about risks and how to manage them. Chapter two addresses the risks to biodiversity. Chapter three investigates the risks chemical contaminants pose to our health through the food chain. The final chapter reviews the last three decades of creating genetically engineered food, focusing not only on the science behind the technology, but also on issues, such as consumer choice and rights, politics, product usefulness, and the availability of alternatives.
Aimed especially at food science professionals and educators, undergraduate and graduate students, health professionals, and an interested general public will also benefit greatly from this resource.
Key Features
- Deals with risk concerns and risk management in the food industry.
- Presents global and local issues concerning risk and its management in the food industry.
- Offers ways to discuss information with graduates students and professionals.
Contents
1 Risks
1 Risks
- 1 Why Are We Writing About This Topic?
- 2 Risk as a Science Topic and Expected Impact on the Society
- 3 Analysis of the Risk Issues Involved
- 4 Stakeholder and Public Involvement
- 5 Premises for Successful Risk Governance
- 6 Chapter Summary
- 1 Why Are We Writing About This Topic?
- 2 Why Is Biodiversity Important for the World and for Everyday Life?
- 3 Science and Background
- 4 What Do We Do with What We Know?
- 5 Future Perspectives
- 6 Chapter Summary
- 1 Why Are We Writing About This Book
- 2 Chemical Contaminants and Expected Impact
- 3 Why Is the Study of Health Effects Caused by Contaminants Important?
- 4 Dioxin: Description and Origin
- 5 Managing Risk
- 6 Future Perspectives
- 7 Chapter Summary
- 1 Why Am I Writing About This Topic?
- 2 Why Have Genetically Modified Food? Why Is It Important for the World?
- 3 GM Crops and Food
- 4 How Genetic Engineering Works
- 5 Risk Governance: What Do We Do to Make Sure GM Crops Are Safe?
- 6 Risk Management
- 7 Communicating GMO Issues
- 8 Addressing Potential Risks of GM Crops: Case Study of Germany
- 9 Future Prospects
- 10 Chapter Summary
About the Authors
- Paul Pechan is a researcher at the Department of Communication and Media Research, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich. His background is in molecular biology but since 2000 he has been involved in the research and communication of science to the public and youth. His latest work includes scientific papers on information recall, texts for 5 health films and a UNESCO manual for teachers.
- Allan Watt is a research scientist at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh. He has led several international projects with a focus on conflicts between human activities and biodiversity.
- Ingemar Pongratz is group leader and holds an Assistant Professorship at the Department for Biosciences and Nutrition at KI. Dr Pongratz’s main research area is the biology and function of pHLH-PAS proteins and he leads his own research group studying the effects of dioxin exposure at the cellular level.
- Ortwin Renn serves as full professor and Chair of Environmental Sociology and Technology Assessment at Stuttgart University (Germany). He directs the Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Risk Governance and Sustainable Technology Development (ZIRN) at Stuttgart University and the non-profit company DIALOGIK, a research institute for the investigation of communication and participation processes in environmental policy making.
Book Details
- Hardcover: 152 pages
- Publisher: Springer; 1st edition (May 12, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1441978674
- ISBN-13: 978-1441978677
- Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
List Price: $139.00