This book investigates the complex regulatory and political conflict between the European Union and the United States regarding the governance of genetically modified organisms. The authors, Joseph Murphy and Les Levidow, utilize their expertise in technology policy and environmental governance to dissect the competing coalitions that shaped trade liberalization and international standard-setting. By examining the underlying socio-political tensions, the text argues that the GMO dispute serves as a critical case study for understanding how global institutions manage emerging technologies amidst conflicting national interests.

Experts recognize this work as a rigorous examination of the intersection between trade policy and technological regulation. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the institutional challenges of global biotechnology governance.