Green gene technology : Research in an area of social conflict

Green gene technology(GGT), understood as apart of modernbiotechnology, has been on a steady, triumphal progression over the last ten years (ISAAA 2007, see thecontribution byEinsele in thisissue). This volume, jointly edited byProf. Fiechterandme, dealswithsomeactualscienti?candsocio-economic aspects with regard to genetically modi?ed plants (GMP). Worldwide more than 100 million hectares of agronomical land are covered by GMP. This - cludes some prominent industrialised Western countries like the USA and Canada, aseriesofthresholdcountrieslikeArgentina, Brazil, IndiaandChina, and a number of developing countries.