Monsanto is a company who is well known for their genetically modified and patented seeds. The seeds are modified to withstand the pesticide Roundup, which would lower the need of labor to manage extra weeding and plowing that non-GM seeds would normally require, and has the potential to lower the cost of labor for the farmers. The capitalistic ways that the successful company runs makes many targets placed on this profiting company.
In “Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear” essay, by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele, the authors clearly illustrate the impacts that major corporations can have on farms and other food producers. Many small communities and towns see Monsanto as a major threat to the livelihood of smaller producers, distributors, and manufacturers. There are clear and significant attempts of fear to allure customers to …show more content…
The company responds in their article “Why Does Monsanto Sue Farmers Who Saves Seeds?” by stating, “without the protection of patents there would be little incentive for privately-owned companies to pursue and re-invest in innovation,” (875). A company, such as Monsanto, relies and motivated by the fact that their developments will be protected. Monsanto invests more than 78 million dollars a month in the company in research and development of future products, (877). Contracts, similar to the ones that Monsanto's customers agree to, is understandable with the investment that the company makes. The company simply do not want farmers to save the seeds for the next season's crops, so that the repeat business of seed purchasing keeps them in business. Without the income of the seeds that are purchased, the company would be able to be so technologically advanced. The company also maintains the respect of their customers because “it would be unfair to the farmers that honor their agreements to let others get away with getting [the seeds] for free,”