Monsanto is a major producer of genetically engineered seeds that are modified to resist herbicides and pests. However, Monsanto has also received criticism for how it patents its seeds and requires farmers to sign contracts. The article discusses how Monsanto controls a large portion of the market for crops like soybeans, corn, and cotton through its genetically modified seeds. Some issues raised are whether gene modification can truly solve food shortages and improve lives, and if food companies have an ethical obligation to label foods that are genetically modified.

1. G13 Technology and World Change== Individual Oral Presentation== The BioBusiness Revolution 2: Agriculture and the Environment Past, Present, Future By Dai Xuling

2. oraniwi

3. Definitions GM Foods – Genetically Modified Foods Specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s

4. Examples of GM Foods Tomato Strawberry Soy Bean

5. The Article Title of the article: The Planet Versus Monsanto Extracted from: Forbes Magazine Published on: January 18, 2010 Authors: Robert Langreth & Matthew Herper

6. Background Monsanto - Mother of agricultural biotechnology The company has $44 billion market value Sold $7.3 billion of seeds and seed genes in fiscal 2009 Seeds are genetically engineered to ward off insects or make a crop immune to herbicides

7. Background However it has been the object of viciouscriticism Farmers using Roundup Ready seeds can only use Roundup, because any other broad-spectrum herbicide will kill their crops. Since 2005 Monsanto has been gradually moving back into other food crops, including fruits and vegetables

9. Legal impediments to GM are gradually falling

10. 90% of US soybean crop and 80% of corn and cotton crop are grown with seeds containing Monsanto’s technologyInteresting Observations and Points

12. Seeds can be owned as their property, farmers have no freedom to grow their own crops

13. If these companies control the seeds, they will control the population of the world

14. No enough food to feed the current population is an excuse for them to continue into gene manipulationKey Takeaway Messages

15. Personal Assessment and Rating 10 / 10

16. Issues for Discussion Do you think by modifying the genes of seeds, are we able to solve the food shortage problem or improve lives in developing nations? Should there be any ethical obligation for food companies to label their food? (to let consumer know whether their food is GM?)

17. References http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0118/americas-best-company-10-gmos-dupont-planet-versus-monsanto.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food