• Identify issues that are pertinent to the question of how genetic modification of crop plants should be regulated
• Identify pertinent assertions that go beyond philosophy and should rest on experimental observations
• Identify pertinent observations that bear on these assertions -- research articles and the experiments therein
• Bear in mind that the final report is bound by the requirement that "[a]ll assertions in the recommendations will be supported by citations to published evidence. The subcommittee will not rely on mere assertions, even from experts.", you should view what you read through this lens. Recall also that evidence is observations, not mere assertions.

To accomplish these aims, you may have to go beyond the confines of the book and look up research articles. Those cited by the authors are a good place to start. With that preparation, the meeting on February 26th should enable the subcommittee to combine insights and evidence on specific questions. Bring with you what you found regarding the points listed above. It is unreasonable to expect that the subcommittee would be able so early to judge the merits of different positions, but it should be able to identify issues that need to be pursued and research articles that would be useful in that endeavor.

The following books are on reserve in VCU's Cabell Library, at the Circulation Desk. They may be checked out for one day at a time. When you have decided which book to focus on, send an e-mail to everyone staking your claim. Do this as soon as possible, profiting by a discussion amongst yourselves. I suggest you choose a book that is most distant from your current perspective. When the day of the meeting arrives, be ready to serve as the spokesperson for your chosen book.

Last time, I provided distillations of each book. This time, although I do offer a bit of advice, it's up to you to find the most pertinent sections. Reading the book from start to end like a novel may not be the best strategy (unless you have the time).

• Druker SM (2015). Altered Genes, Twisted Truth.
  I don't think it is much of a spoiler to reveal that Steven Druker is virulently opposed to genetically modified foods in all of their forms. This book is quite large, but most of it is devoted to the kinds of things that would interest an attorney (which is Druker's chosen profession): who is lying, who is to blame. Read these sections if you like, but focus primarily on scientific assertions, using the rich collection of footnotes to seek out published research articles to assess the claims. Chapters 3 and 10 are probably the most likely sources of insights for the subcommittee, as well as pp.116-122 of Chapter 4 and pp.252-260 of Chapter 9. Chapter 11 presents an interesting comparison between genetic engineering and computer science.
   
• Robinson C, Antoniou M, Fagan J (2015). GMO Myths and Truths.
  This book covers much the same ground as Druker (2015) but is much more focused. It also has a large collection of citations. Few of them are to research articles, but some are.
   
• Fedoroff N, Brown NM (2004). Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist's View of Genetically Modified Foods.
  Just as much as Druker is a foe of genetic modification, Nina Fedoroff is its champion. Both of them have nothing good to say about the other side, so you will have to provide that counterweight yourself. The article has a rich bibliography, but unaccountably (especially for someone who is active in research) she chose not to include in-line citations, so it is very difficult to find sources for assertions that appear in the book. The Notes section at the end of the book helps a bit. Chapters 8 and 9 might be especially worthy of your attention.
   
• Qiam M (2016). Genetically Modified Crops and Agricultural Development
  Like Fedoroff, Matin Qaim is active in research in the field. However, his book is a dryer account, with less human interest, more direct discussion of research, much more easily identified sources. Chapter 3 and pp.138-145 of Chapter 7 might be your first stops..
   
• Grunewald W, Bury J (2015). The GMO Revolution
  This book is different in format from the others. It covers different topics and has different goals. Nonetheless it may provide a useful perspective to the discussion. Chapter 2 might be the most pertinent.
   

I've also placed on reserve three books that might be of interest, even though they're not of direct use to the upcoming discussion.

• Mahgoub SEO (2016). Genetically Modified Foods: Basics, Applications, and Controversy
  The book may be a useful resource, as it contains an extensive chapter on the techniques of biotechnology and genetic engineering.
   
• Miller DA, editor (2012). Genetically Engineered Foods (also available online).
• Thompson T, editor (2015). Genetically Modified Food.
  These two books are part of a series, At Issue, which pits against each other proponents of divergent views. Unfortunately, the essays contain no citations. There is nothing to support any of the views expressed. Still, the books may at least present the arguments on different sides of pertinent questions, which may inspire you to look for actual evidence.