Includes bibliographical references (p. 245-258).

1. The gleam in management's eye -- 2. Scientific conception (amid misconceptions and controversy) -- 3. Virgin territory : plant genetic engineering and U.S. regulatory agencies -- 4. The long, hard regulatory labor : the Flavr savr tomato advisory opinion -- 5. Transition from a science-driven to a business-driven enterprise -- 6. Overpromised, underdelivered -- 7. Afterbirth.

Belinda Martineau chronicles the story behind the making of the Flavr Savr "TM" tomato, from its conception, through its much-heralded introduction to market and its subsequent ignominious disappearance. Her account serves as a cautionary tale for the biotech age, offering a revealing look at how the science of genetic engineering is actually done, how corporate decisions are really made in biotech start-ups, and how the regulatory system in the United States does and doesn't work. Most important, First fruit goes beyond the polarized debate currently surrounding genetically modified foods to illustrate both the benefits and the risks of this new technology.