Book excerpt: The fifth edition of The World Food Problem reflects nearly a decade of new research on the causes and potential solutions to the problems of producing and distributing food in developing countries. With extensively updated data and new case studies throughout, this edition includes new or expanded discussions of such issues as: genetically modified food the impact of climate change the quality of agricultural land and water the significance of globalization implications of changes in demographic policy, such as the reversal of China's "one-child rule" . The result is an accessible, comprehensive text, as well as a provocative assessment of prospects for the future.