World Hunger

About the Book

Vanguard Corporation, an agricultural company led by a greedy and mercurial CEO, has developed a new line of genetically modified seed products. Designed to significantly increase crop yields and resist drought, pests, and disease in the hopes of reducing hunger in Third World countries, the seeds should also earn huge profits for the firm.

Vanguard’s testing in Belarus, Colombia, and India initially goes well, but midway through the crops’ development, reports begin to emerge of bizarre insect observations linked to incidents of domestic animal slaughter, and eventually, the death of several people. The high-growth genetic enhancements engineered into the seeds have been transferred into the insects through their ingestion of the test crops.

The strains of these “super” insects are much larger, more aggressive, and increasingly resistant to pesticides and disease than their natural counterparts. As the insects become more plentiful and widespread, Vanguard desperately combats them while dealing with the media, environmentalists, the government, and other distractions. Meanwhile, scientists, entomologists, and field operatives frantically work together to eradicate the new species and deal with the fallout of mankind’s apathy toward environmental meddling.

About the Author

Brian Kenneth Swain

grew up in Brunswick, Maine and now lives in Helotes, Texas. He has been a featured poet at the Poetry Society of Texas and Houston Poetry Fest (two-time juried poet), as well as on Pacifica and NPR radio. His other works include the poetry collections Secret Places and My America, and the novel Alone in the Light.