Ever since humans began walk-ing upright, we have intervened in our surroundings. We have shaped tools, formed the environment, and developed structures, systems and organizations of all dimensions and levels of abstraction. Historically speak ing, one can see human ac-tivity as a gigantic design machine, producing still greater numbers of objects and…
Plants also form the basis of the trophic pyramid in all terrestrial and most marine ecosystems on which we and all other animal species inevitably depend. In addition, plants provide a vast multitude of natural resources for humanity, especially in the developing world. They provide the basis for all of our food, most medicines and many other materials essential for our daily lives.
The soybean is far more than just a versatile crop whose derivatives serve the protein needs of a meatless diet. One of the world’s most important commodities, soy represents the embodiment of mechanised industrial agriculture and is one of the main actors behind the socioeconomic, political, and ecological transformations of industrial farming in several world regions. S…