The Raven should be congratulated for keeping up with current debates that are occurring in the real world. Issue No. 40 is devoted to Genetic Modification. "Genetic Modifications (GM) means producing new varieties of organisms not by traditional breeding methods but by direct interference with DNA, The chemical which carries the genes".

Considering the importance of this topic I'm disappointed about the relative lack of anarchist contributions of the Genetic Modification in the Raven - an Anarchist Quarterly. Half of the articles in this issue of The Raven are written by anarchists, the other contributors to The Raven are Terry Mabbett and Alan Malcom; two independent biologists with experience in the field. Their lectures on the ethics of Genetic Modification which were given at the South Place Ethical Society in London are included in this publication. Also included are the Institute of Biology's response to a paper on the ethics of Genetic modification which were circulated by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics 1998.

All in all this issue of The Raven provides a limited by interesting introduction to a different topic which has the potential to change human civilisation in a way that was not deemed possible even a decade ago. Genetic modification is an issue that anarchists need to get their hearts and minds around. The changes that this Biological Revolution could possibly herald make the changes that were introduced by last century's Industrial Revolution and the Information Revolution that has made major changes to the way we communicate at the end of the 20th century, seem minor in comparison to the "Huxley - Brave New World" changes that are now on the human agenda.

The editorial staff at The Raven should seriously consider devoting another Raven to the question that Genetic Modification raises in a year or two. Next time they should have time to canvas an extensive anarchist range of opinions on this very important topic.

The Raven is available from Anarres Books. Have a look at their website for their current catalogue; www.anarres.org.au