Monsanto Ethics Case Study

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Monsanto Case Study Monsanto has a huge sales market and is the world’s largest seed company. They specialize in genetic engineering, which is a field of biotechnology that manipulates organisms at the genetic level. Over the last few decades, the scientists at Monsanto have been modifying crop genes. In the gene modification process, either the seed’s already existing genes are adapted or the seed has new genes integrated into it. These genetic modifications result in crops that produce higher yields, survive weeks of drought, and resist the invasion of pests and weeds. Monsanto owns the market share of certain crops and nearly all the world’s Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crop seeds use Monsanto genes (either from companies using Monsanto genes or from Monsanto directly). Monsanto’s primary crops of interest are corn, canola, soybeans, and cotton. Monsanto has supporters and of critics ranging from activist and advocacy groups to farmers and governments. Supporters believe that Monsanto aids farmers to increase both revenues and food production. Critics view Monsanto as a multinational menace intent on dominating the world’s food supply and will eventually corrupt the gene pools of many ecosystems in the process. Like any other large firm, Monsanto also has the responsibility to maintain an ethical culture that can respond effectively to stakeholders when issues arise. There are issues with their products that still need to be resolved including the risks to health and damage to the environment. They also need to enforce their code of ethics to mitigate employee misconduct. Although Monsanto has made ethical mistakes in the past, it is trying to remedy this. Monsanto does support charitable agricultural causes (farmer training, etc.) and ranked #20 of the top 100 in Corporate Responsibility (2009). Monsanto fought against rBST free

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