As a producer of genetically modified seeds that lead to larger crop yields and eventually larger profits for farmers, Monsanto has a moral obligation to farmers who have grown crops and saved seeds for the next crop for hundreds of years before Monsanto began changing the genetic makeup of the seed. Farmers should not feel obligated to Monsanto as they have manipulated the future of farming through patent protection of intellectual property. Some thoughts should be discussed regarding Monsanto’s position; the comparison of seed manipulation as a form of technology, the use of patent protection, and the bullying of farmers through investigations of farmers reusing seeds from a previous harvest.…
While there are questions of Monsanto’s ethical practices, the success of producing genetically modified seeds is irrefutable. While GM seeds are profitable, the disputes that these seeds have the potential to harm plants and animals are ongoing. As previously stated Monsanto’s seeds are resistant to its own herbicide, Roundup. With this in mind, the seed’s composition includes the chemical glyphosate, an ingredient of Roundup. According to Scientific American (2009), glyphosate “amplifies the toxic effect on human cells—even at concentrations more much diluted than those used on farms and lawns”, and that other ingredients in Roundup may negatively impact pregnant women and their fetuses(Gammon). On the other hand, Monsanto contest the findings,…
Interest groups are defined as an “organized group of people that makes policy-related appeals” and they can have a profound effect on our government and society (Ginsberg, Lowi, and Weir 419).These groups represent their interests in the political arena in a variety of ways; they can get government officials appointed to government positions, lobby government officials, and fund media to advertise their message to mobilize public opinion and sway voters. Businesses interest groups in particular utilize these strategies, because there is an economic incentive in passing favorable laws and conveying a good image to government and the public. One business interest currently benefiting from their interaction with the Obama administration is Monsanto. Monsanto is a billion dollar company responsible for genetically modified seeds, the chemical Roundup and its associated Roundup ready crops, the toxic chemical substance Agent Orange, bovine growth hormones (rBGH), and the synthetic sugar substitute known as aspartame—to name a few. As a business interest group, it has been a terrific success in using government to push its agenda, much to the dismay of environmental activists, scientists, and concerned citizens who want their government to regulate businesses and protect the public. This paper will examine how business interest groups like Monsanto have been able to further their agenda under the Obama administration through the appointment of employees to federal positions, lobbying, and use of media to mobilize public opinion.…
At the beginning of this case it breifly explains when Monsanto was founded which was in 1901 by John F. Queeny in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew this company to be one of the world's largest seed companies today. They first started out producing artificial sweeteners called saccharine, which was sold to Coca-Cola back when Monsanto was still becoming big. Monsanto also sold caffeine extract and vanillin, which was an artificial vanilla flavoring that Coca-Cola also bought from them. During World War I Monsanto saw an opportunity to grow into the chemical industry and started specializing in plastics, its own agricultural chemicals, and synthetic rubbers. A few years later, Monsanto created its first ever Roundup herbicide that would later take the company to the top. Although Monsanto has found a way to keep crops from becoming eaten or killed from insects by their Roundup herbicide, it has also become a huge consumer issue. With Monsanto genetically modifying seeds to insure they grow quicker and healthier than standard crops, people are starting to wonder whether or not these seeds are bad for our environment or even the people and animals consuming them. Monsanto has had a lot of lawsuits against them consisting of one from Dupont, which is another leader in the seed distribution industry. The alligation was brought up from the American Antitrust Institute for alleged anticompetitve activities. The instution had argued that Monsanto was hindering competition due to the patent on their seeds and limiting seed inovation. This is just one of the lawsuits or problems that Monsanto has…
Being a multinational supplier of genetically modified seeds, Monsanto posses severe economic impacts in the international marketplace. Originally, the Bt Cotton seeds should have produced positive externalities upon the Indian economy, however, the enforcement of the biological patent disables the economy from reaching the potential positive effects. Initially, the purpose of the genetically modified cotton seeds were to substantially increase the production of cotton. Higher crop yields would have resulted in cheaper prices for consumerism, as economies of scale would have taken effect. However, as the revenue generated by farmers cannot cover variable costs, a shut down point will be reached within the industry. Farming revenue is irregular…
What would you do if you knew a company you loved and adored, had horrible and atrocious ethics? Many people don’t realize how many businesses practice poor ethics and get away with unethical behavior. One of the most unethical businesses in the world is Monsanto. Most people would agree that Monsanto has been through hell and back because of their Ethics.…
This article is simply critical. Although over a hundred years old, Monsanto has become a broad name amongst college campuses and online forums of the younger generation as of recent years. Even marches in large cities and college campuses have been walked, March Against Monsanto. With the evolving and more common use of technology…
In the Caux Round Table Principles for Business there are seven principles that Monsanto should follow when developing them with a global approach that is corporately responsible (Thorne, 2010). The first principle established the basis for respect among all shareholders. The company’s established board of directors should treat all of their stakeholders including employees, customers and investors with the same amount of respect as they would want be provided to them. Monsanto should continue to seek out innovative ways that their employees can better do their jobs and provide more output for the farmers, while maintaining an ethical balance within that does not see shortcuts taken to increase their financial status. If an issue were to arise, they should be up front and honest with all the stakeholders so that they all have the…
Clarence Thomas was a Monsanto lawyer from 1976-1979, then he became a Supreme Court justice and allowed Monsanto to patent the soybean seed. In 1996, Monsanto began selling Roundup ready soybeans. In 1996 about 2% of soybeans in the US where from Monsanto, by 2008 90% of soybeans in the US where Monsanto’s seeds. Monsanto owns these seed which means a farmer cannot clean the seeds to reuse them the next year. The company employs about 75 people to watch farmers to make sure they don’t reuse the seeds. Most farmers who would not be shown on camera likened them to ex-military or ex-police who would follow and intimidate the farmers. One famer interviewed, David does not use Monsanto seeds. He employs Moe Parr, one of the last seed cleaners in Indiana, to clean his own seeds. He still has to be careful what seeds he cleans because his neighboring fields have GMO’s planted and if the wind blows a seed to his field he is still responsible. Monsanto has a black list of people not to sell beans to and both Moe and David are on there. David asked Moe what he is supposed to do after he can’t clean his seeds anymore and can’t buy Monsanto seeds, Moe has no idea. When this film was made the Clinton administration was in office and Monsanto executive served in the administration.…
Executive Summary Monsanto¡¦s downfall could be attributed to several reasons. The passion of Alan Shapiro¡¦s vision blinded the Company into making rash decisions and the large amounts of money spent pursuing the objective prevented any U-turns later. The company¡¦s unshaken beliefs that i…
Despite the ongoing, major clinical studies being conducted, the government put their greed before the public’s wellbeing, and granted Monsanto permission to plant genetically modified crops and seeds without the interference of the federal government. With the government stripped of their authority of enforcing GMO sales, Monsanto has broken their chains, and now has full control of the public’s food. If GMO’s are found to be harmful to the consumer’s health, because of this bill, the government will not be able stop Monsanto’s production and distribution. (International Business…
Vandalism not only causes financial damage, but also disrupts operations at time. The vandalism is greatly focused on the business partners of Monsanto and other GMO producers. We paint these partners in a similar light as one would paint terrorists. Deeming the partners as terrorists allows us to conjure sympathy from the public to turn support in our favor.…
legal responsibilities - Monsanto is subject to laws and regulations of the US and where they operate, the country that they are in. It is the responsibility of Monsanto to ensure that they abide by the law and act in accordance with it. This is highlighted Monsanto's 'pledge' (2015) as follows, "Integrity is the foundation for all that we do. Integrity includes honesty, decency, consistency, and courage...We will create clarity of direction, roles, and accountability; build strong relationships with our customers and external partners; make wise decisions; steward our company resources; and take responsibility for achieving agreed-upon results."…
This argument is true regarding the transactions that occurred between farmers and Monsanto. There is no protection or insurance for farmers and consumers to use when dealing with the foreign market face-to-face. The outcome is the most devastating factor to see after studying the events of the Monsanto take over in India. The result which is still evolving today, has left over 300,000 farmers dead due to suicide caused by large amounts of debt. It can be inferred this population went from calm and quiet communities to destructed families who lost loved ones and were trapped by debt.…
Monsanto Co. is an innovative biotechnology company that is currently the world’s largest seed company. Since its inception in 1901, Monsanto has continually reinvented itself to realize growth opportunities in a wide spectrum of marketing environments. In 1981, a shift in strategic focus towards biotechnology has propelled the company to $11.7 billion in annual sales with over 20,000 people in 160 countries. As the world faces a growing population and declining natural resources, Monsanto’s technological innovations with genetically modified seeds have increased crop yields around the world. Although the company has enjoyed significant growth in recent years, concerns over the safety and environmental impact of its product continually present a challenge to long-term success.…