The aim of this book is to introduce (in six chapters and four appendices) GM technology, and to discuss the principles of risk assessment in connection with human and animal health and the environment. Linguistically it is articulate, but scientifically it is a missed opportunity. The authors seem to be biased, presenting advantages uncritically and picking holes in any criticism that GM crops have received. Only three biosafety issues of transformation are mentioned on page 20, even though the possible problems with integration appear later (legend to Fig. 1.7). Furthermore, unanticipated changes in the phenotype (pleiotropic effects) also constitute a biosafety issue. The authors compare recombinant technology with conventional breeding, claiming that transformation is faster, but in most cases elite cultivars cannot be transformed, so conventional breeding is still a necessary step to introduce required traits into desirable cultivars. Suggestions such as ‘in case of contained application of GMOs, there is no need to identify potential hazards . . .’ are calling for disaster, as human errors are not completely avoidable. The authors suggest that studies on possible deleterious effects of GM products should be carefully peer reviewed before being put into the public domain. I could not agree more with this comment, but the possible positive effects of GM products should be treated in the same way. Furthermore, in order to have unassailable credibility, risk assessment should be performed by an independent third party. The supporters of genetically modified plants do not need to be convinced, and thus this book is not for them, while people who are sceptical will find lots of omissions and slanted language to fuel their scepticism.