Sustainability is a growing concern for many individuals and companies as resources are becoming increasingly limited, hazardous, and expensive. Over the last few years, more people have been informed about sustainable options, which have been easier to obtain and contribute to, as well as wanting to purchase more sustainable options, leading to companies needing to offer more sustainable products.…
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,…
Within Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele’s article “Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear,” the reader receives information on the complicated history and questionable business tactics of the agriculture company Monsanto. Moreover, Barlett and Steele bring to light numerous counts of wrong doing committed by Monsanto by focusing on the legal actions and cases found in state and federal courts. Particular attention is focused on the vast resources and funds that Monsanto utilizes to deter smaller farmers and co-ops from continuing the cases in court, consequently, most of the cases are settled. Also, a great amount of space remains dedicated to a history lesson of the Monsanto company. Therefore, Monsanto has many ligations due to improper chemical…
articles in the fertilizer industry have highlighted the need for a focus in environmental concerns. The CEO has…
Monsanto positions itself as a relatively new agricultural company having formed in 2002, and focused on supporting local farmers around the world. They also promote themselves as a guardian of the environment with a mission “to produce more food while conserving more” (Monsanto.com). Today’s Monsanto conglomerate also promotes itself as the “New Merchants,” a leading research company in the field of agriculture-crop production, as well as a strong supporter of public and private research through its grant, donations and University scholarship programs.…
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.…
The competitive environment in today’s business world poses many dangers to the sustainability of the biosphere, which is so vital to life. Business organizations have a responsibility to help sustain and preserve the environment for future generations. Corporations must take initiative in developing business plans that incorporate sustainable business practices into the strategic direction of the organization. Successful achievement of a sustainable business plan also requires identification of barriers to implementation and development of strategies to overcome such barriers. In addition, to measure the success of sustainable business practices, organizations must continually monitor the progress and communicate results of their sustainable plan efforts. A review of the Riordan Manufacturing’s current business practices helped to illustrate the development and implementation of a successful sustainability plan. Riordan must concentrate on developing a plan to address unsustainable practices such as the release of harmful emissions, improper disposal of off-spec raw materials, and the release of harmful solvent cleaners into the biosphere. To implement these strategies and secure the improvement of Riordan’s sustainability, the organization must anticipate financial, social, ethical, technical, and practical barriers to these plans. Understanding the barriers helps the organization prepare an action plan to overcome these obstacles and ensure the successful implementation of its plans. The keys to avoiding impediments from financial, social, ethical, and technical barriers are communication and commitment. Communication is vital to the implementation of a successful sustainability plan. Riordan Manufacturing must institute a comprehensive communication plan to address the concerns of affected stakeholders. In addition, the…
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…
Generating a shift in people’s consciousness requires a “Sustainability revolution” (Edwards, 2005). To develop the strategic imperative of the new millennium, hence we have to emphasize on the excellence, quality, and reengineering movements of the late 20th century. Regarding sustainability issues, substantial public interests are fueling on corporate focus. For example, it requires changes in legislation, pressure from stakeholders, and reluctant managers to take into account on sustainability issues.…
Greed will be America’s downfall. The foundation of our politics, once founded on the public well being, has been interchanged with the corrupted stones of corruption and scandal. “We the people” had once powerful persuasive presence in legislature. Unfortunately, now, the government and the public opinion has been overshadowed by the upcoming presence of major corporations. American politicians have been caught in the dark entanglements of corporate affairs. With the food industries and companies, such as the Meat Industry and Monsanto, their intricate, deeply rooted ties with the government through bribes, donations to officials causes, and black mail, these companies are deceiving the American consumer into eating foods that are potentially…
The Laws in this country need to be changed due to the misunderstanding of the U.S. Constitution, the easy access of obtaining a gun and the rise of violent crimes. The U.S. Constitution, Amendment 2, states that an individual has “the right to bear arms and set up a militia.” The Constitution guarantees the rights of individuals to own and use guns, and allows the people to keep and bear arms, and the citizens shall not be infringed upon and can form a militia. This amendment must be broken down in order to better understand its true intent. The founding fathers intent was clear for some to understand but if you are a card carrying member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) it is easy…
The most infamous GMO based company is Monsanto. For those who haven’t seen Food Inc. Monsanto is a company that specializes in GMOs and their applications and the patents that insure lots of money. Monsanto forces farmers into their agreements of use and if they should deny and end up using Monsanto’s patented seeds they find themselves with an excessive lawsuit so unreasonable it is impossible for the farmers to have any other option but agree to their terms. Yves Bertheau and John Davison wrote a case study called Genetically Modified and non-Genetically Modified Food Supply Chains examines the interaction between these seeds, “the simulation model presented...permits an analysis of mechanisms for detecting adventitious transfer of GM material…