Seeds of Science gives a pretty comprehensive overview on the current debate about GMOs, along with the history of GMOs, and his own conversion from being anti-GMO to pro-GMO. I don't know if there is enough in this book to get someone to convert to Pro-gmo. But it was an interesting read. I enjoyed most of the reading, and learned more about GMOs.

This book is an honest report from someone who was very opposed to GMOs, and changed his opinion. However, I'm not sure the book is strong enough to convince others to take the same stance.

SEEDS OF SCIENCE by award-winning author Mark Lynas (Six Degrees) was recently published by Bloomsbury and is subtitled "Why we got it so wrong on GMOs." Lynas, a science writer and protester against genetically modified crops in the mid-1990s, has dramatically and publicly changed his mind. In SEEDS OF SCIENCE he uses scientific evidence to explain why he is now a GMO supporter; roughly ten percent of the book is devoted to notes and a helpful index. This is a somewhat dense, though thoughtful – and thought provoking – work which traces the politics, the business decisions, and the science involved with GMOs, providing details from both sides of the argument.

Excellent book on GMOs, from science to politics

I enjoyed this book. Author Mark Lynas tells a great story about the science, ethics and politics of GMOs. As a former anti-GMO activist, Lynas provides great insights. He explains the science of GMOs very well as he does most of the issues he discusses. His discussion of group-think is fascinating and important, and applies equally as well to climate change deniers and antivaccine activists. Another reason the book is so good is that it follows Lynas's transition from anti-GMO activist to a pro-science advocate. He is a great writer and the book was hard to put down. I strongly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

Seeds of Science gives a comprehensive overview on the current debate about GMOs, where the debate is at currently, the history of GMOs, and his own conversion from being anti-GMO to pro-GMO.

GMOs are a HOT topic--you can't go anywhere without running into someone who has an opinion (usually a very steadfast, fiery one) on whether or not they're good, whether or not we should be eating organic, etc. I appreciated this book for breaking down the history of how they came to be and why we might be so reluctant to adopt these foods into our society. It was incredibly interesting and I feel much more informed on the topic. Aside from the science, Lynas also goes through various areas that are trying to adopt GMOs and how the process works (or lags), which I found fascinating.

I've always been neutral on the topic of GMOs, since I don't feel as though we really have enough information to make a judgment about them either way, so I was a good target audience for this book. Not super anti-GMO, but not super pro either. Of course, by reading this book, I lean more towards pro-GMO (I'm all for ways that can help countries and people avoid starvation), but I'll still be keeping an open mind as research develops, something that Lynas also says is an important thing to do.

What really endeared this book to me is that Lynas dedicates a section talking about how debate, logic, and arguments work in our brain. He admits to being biased and even points out which argumentative tools he uses in the books. He also breaks down why it's so hard to get people to change their mind on things. This, above all, sold the book to me. I love a person who is transparent about what their goal is and how they're going about achieving that goal--especially since I couldn't help but wondering how Seeds of Science presented the facts, versus what facts anti-GMO groups are operating on, and how might Lynas be smoothing those over? The fact that he points out he's biased made me trust the book a little more and trust Lynas's agenda.

Despite this book being rather informational and technical, this is an easy read. It flows nicely, and Lynas gives it a personal character by tying the information to his own thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. If I were teaching a history or science class in high school, this would be in my classroom, for sure. It could even work as a book to use in a curriculum about GMOs to spark a larger debate amongst students. And even if you're not looking for curriculum stuff, this is an intriguing read that gives a lot of information about the topic in general. Definitely recommend.

Fascinating read. I like growing heirloom plants for the novelty of them, but have discovered many do taste different from the mass grown ones I can buy in the store. I rarely buy locally out of season fruits and vegetables, but not due to fear. I think there is a place for GMOs, as I realize that in order to feed the world, heirloom foods are not going to do the job. As for "all natural" and "organic" as labels- I just grit my teeth and define the words when someone spouts them at me.... Mark Lynas, I feel gives a fair treatment of the subject. And everyone who eats should read this book. it may save them some money. Kudos to the author!