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In the Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, emphases on how mankind has taken his position in trying to influence and control nature through technology such as genetic engineering. The purpose of this is to satisfy his desire for perfection by controlling the seeds of plants such as apples and potatoes. It appears that Pollan has a vivid imagination on plant-human interaction, when he writes the book. He thoroughly examines the connection of humans with the apple, the tulip, marijuana and the potato and reveals how all these plants have grown to satisfy human needs . Through such satisfactions, plants have been able to grow and spread over the decades and spread tremendously. The relationship he establishes on the advantages of plants on advancing human potentials indicate the position taken by either the plants or human and if the species are actually the ones in control (Pollan, 2001).
Michael Pollan introduces the concept of four types of plants in his garden. He uses these plants as better examples to show how they have been in a continuous interdependence with man. He brings in scientific facts in the field of botany in line with the context of human desires. In his thesis, he tries to relate the four types of plants to certain human attributes and creatively crafts it in a manner that makes it easily accessible and bearable. Pollan asserts that though plants have coexisted in a domesticated environment, man has always been the sovereign ruler of nature by designing and redesigning plants, using genetic engineering to suit his needs.
The author has written the book for a larger audience and context aims at ensuring people appreciate their societies that are in two fascinating sections. The first part discusses the areas of desire of mankind in which the apple brings out the aspect of sweetness. The tulip brings out the aspect of beauty and love; marijuana means intoxication while the potato