Although the true economic impact of genetic modifications is yet to be realized,
the potential of this new technology to benefit the food processing industry
and to improve food quality is enormous.
Specific genetically modified whole foods and food ingredients that have recently
become available or are about to become available are described and discussed
in relation to their technical performance and consumer acceptance.
The regulatory, ethical and communication issues in food biotechnology are also reviewed.
As the products of gene technology come on stream, decisions need to be made as to
whether or not to use them. Yet, many food industry professionals have little or no
background in biotechnology and have a limited concept of possible applications in foods.
Therefore, this book aims to foster a greater understanding of the benefits and
potential pitfalls of this new technology.
Contents
Part 1: THE BROADER ISSUE
Modern Food Biotechnology: Overview of Key Issues
The basic techniques of genetic modification
Genetic modification of agronomic traits in crops
Environmental concerns
The genetic modification of quality in foods
The genetically modified tomato
Starter cultures for fermented foods
Diagnostics for food testing
The genetic modification of animals
Safety and regulations
Consumer acceptance of gene technology in food production
The case for communication
The future of genetic modification in the food industry
Consumer Perceptions of Modern Food Biotechnology
Knowledge and public understanding
The importance of social context
The international picture
Risk perception and consumer reaction
Credibility of the risk regulators
The role of the media in consumer acceptance
The development of effective communication about biotechnology
Future research
Moral Concerns and the Educational Function of Ethics
What are moral and ethical concerns?
Why should there be moral concerns about food biotechnology?
Is modern biotechnology wrong in itself?
Do the possible consequences of modern biotechnology warrant moral concern?
Who will benefit?
Worldwide Regulatory Issues: Legislation and Labeling
Existing legislation
Moves towards international harmonization
Communicating Biotechnology to an Uncertain Public: The Need To Raise Awareness
Attitudes to biotechnology
The FDF communication program on biotechnology
Other industry initiatives in the UK
The issue of labeling
International communication initiatives
Part 2: CASE STUDIES
Food Enzymes
Chymosin
Other food enzymes from GMOs
Protein engineering of enzymes
Brewing With Genetically Modified Amylolytic Yeast
The genetic modification procedure
The technological performance of genetically modified brewing yeasts
health, safety and environmental issues
Legislative and labeling position
Consumer acceptance and marketing
Baker's Yeast
Traditional approaches to yeast improvement
The construction of genetically modified baker's yeast
Technological properties of genetically modified baker's yeast strains
Starter Cultures for the Dairy Industry
Improvement of dairy starters
Genetic tools available in lactococci
Genetic transfer in lactic acid bacteria
Cloning and characterization of key lactococcal traits
"Natural" genetic modification of lactococcal starters
Metabolic engineering of lactococci
Social, cultural and legal aspects and implications
Designer Oils: The High Oleic Acid Soybean
Target applications in the genetic modification of oil
Development and composition of high oleic acid soybeans
Field performance of high oleic acid soybeans
Technological properties of high oleic acid soybeans
Health, safety and legislative issues
Environmental issues
labeling of the high oleic acid soybean
Consumer acceptance and marketing
Future prospects: true designer oils
Potatoes
Production process and patent status
Field/process performance
Technological properties
Health, safety and environmental issues
Legislative and labeling position
Consumer acceptance and marketing
Cereals
The technique of genetic modification in cereals
The application of gene technology in cereals
Intellectual property and patenting issues in cereal biotechnology
Health, safety and environmental issues
Legislative and labeling position
Consumer acceptance and marketing
Glossary
Index
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