BIOLOGICAL WEALTH & OTHER ESSAYS: Krishna R. Dronamraju, Published by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., PO Box 128, Farrer Road, Singapore 912805.

BIOLOGICAL WEALTH is a unique resource exclusive to the planet earth and almost all the other wealth is derived from it. " The DNA revolution in recent decades has focussed attention on the biological wealth of our planet that is exemplified in the biodiversity that is around us. As the economic and scientific implications of the biological wealth of our planet have become more obvious in recent years, commercial interests have taken a keen interest in exploiting these new opportunities," observes the author of the book.

Biotechnology is one of the hotly debated topics of the decade. Research on genetic modifications have thrown open unlimited opportunities for developing novel genetic combinations, and some of them can be of immense value in the battle against biotic and abiotic stresses. It opens up new vistas in bringing about a nutrition revolution.

However, like any new technology, it is also riddled with problems. There is serious apprehension in the minds of the public about the food and environmental aspects of genetically modified crops. Newer issues such as the legally binding Intellectual Property Rights, Convention on Biodiversity, the Cartegena Protocol on Bio-safety and plant breeders' and farmers' rights have come to the foreground and implemented with earnestness.

The author, a distinguished geneticist and biotechnologist, has dwelt at length on contentious issues such as patenting in biotechnology, patenting in agriculture and medicine and drug development and intellectual property.

His well-informed essays on global economy and genomics, risks resulting from the application of agricultural biotechnology highlighting the ground truths, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) safety measures, and GMOs and politics will serve as excellent reference material for the students and researchers of biotechnology in agriculture and medicine.

He has extensively discussed interesting issues such as culture and biodiversity, DNA technology, ethics and genetic engineering and the relevance of biotechnology to the developing countries.

This publication with a foreword by M.S. Swaminathan, will be a valuable guide to the students and researchers of biotechnology in agriculture and medicine.