Guillermo C. Reboca
Case Study 3
“Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Wheat”
BMGT 496 – 4021
Dr. Alan Goodman
University of Maryland University College
April 11, 2011 I. Thesis Statement Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are the result of splicing foreign genetic material, like a transgene, into a target organism’s DNA to create an organism showing at least one new genetic characteristic. With the world’s population continuing to increase, farmers and their crops will be heavily relied on to produce the worlds agricultural needs. As one of the leading agricultural company in the world, Monsanto is focused on sustainable agriculture and has been one of many company that has assisted farmers in developing seeds that can lead produce the necessary result the world needs. One of the ways they do this is by creating genetically modified seeds such as the Roundup Ready Wheat seeds that can yield increase crops and be safe for consumption. However, because of opposition to GMO from other countries and organizations, Monsanto has the answer the moral question of whether or not to introduce the wheat or delay it or drop it entirely. I think Monsanto should introduce the wheat but only on a trial and timed basis.
II. Significant Facts – Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Wheat Monsanto is one the of the world’s largest agricultural companies that specializes in both conventional and genetically modified organism (GMO) seeds and other products. They pride themselves in respecting all those that are affected by their actions, including making better seed. They create seeds that are engineered to fit environmental places which have limited choice in areas incapable of sustaining their growth. One particular genetically modified seed created a dilemma for the company. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Wheat line of GMO seeds, allow the crops grown from it to survive direct applications of the company’s Roundup pesticide. When this pesticide is sprayed on fields that contain the genetically modified seeds, non-Roundup ready plants die because of their inability to produce a key enzyme which has a basic bacterial gene immune to the pesticide that help in keeping the GMO seeds healthy. There are potential benefits to Roundup Ready Wheat. In Testing Data supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Monsanto’s Roundup Ready wheat is safe for consumption with no risk to human and livestock. FDA affirmed the wheat as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as non-GMO wheat. Question has been raised in regards to human testing of these GMO seeds, Monsanto does not run human clinical trials because existing food crops are recognized as safe. Their thought is a more logical starting point for safety assessment of a genetically modified food is to ask what is different. (1.) Another benefit of the Roundup Ready Wheat is its potential to increase crop yields by 5 percent to 15 percent and perform well under the most difficult environments which will increase food resources. Another benefit is that the wheat will allow producers more alternatives than merely organic and conventional seed from which to choose. In addition, since fields have to be sprayed with pesticides less often than conventional crops to achieve the same result. With all these potential benefits, Monsanto can increase its presence in the wheat market and other small grain markets.
While things looked promising for Monsanto, there were many groups that opposed the release of their Roundup Ready Wheat production. Those who opposed the wheat points out that Monsanto did not have a system in place that could maintain adequate segregation of GMO and non-GMO wheat. To create and maintain such system is costly and the benefit is limited. Other organizations were worried about the possible creation of a super weed, as a result of a possible cross pollination with the GMO wheat to non-GMO wheat. This super weed could be resistant to the pesticide. Other opposition to the GMO wheat is consumer fear and worry as shown in a 2006 study which found 62% of European Union (EU) consumers believed that food safety as related to foods had worsened over the last ten years. They blame their fear to the U.S. system as being flawed and does not support the safety of GMOs.
III. Ethical Issues There are several ethical issues to ponder. Monsanto has made a commitment to work hand in hand with farmers and deliver technologies that help them produce more crops, conserve more resources and improve lives. They also have obligations to their shareholders to maximize their profit. By developing more productive and safer seeds Monsanto can do just that. Sustainable agriculture is at the core of Monsanto. They are committed to developing the technologies that enable farmers to produce more while conserving more of the natural resources that are essential to their success. They are also improving the livelihood of farmers and the people who depend on them. Monsanto’s goals can be attainable through a combination of advanced plant breeding, biotechnology and improved farmer management practices. If they meet these goals, farmers can meet the needs of the growing world with better seeds and agronomic practices. Monsanto still need to convince organic farmers from their fears that their crops could be overtaken by modified crops. The result of this contamination is costly for organic growers. There are still overseas markets that reject organic products when tests showed they carried even trace amounts of genetically modified material. (2) Another ethical issue is social responsibility. Is Monsanto acting responsibly by using biotechnology to produce genetically modified seeds? Their commitment to doing business right is a statement of values that compel the company to listen more, to consider their actions and their impact and to lead responsibly. Monsanto’s foundation is integrity which includes honesty, decency and courage. Monsanto is committed to delivering innovative tools and technologies with which farmers can maximize their crop production while using less resource. Monsanto is committed to partnering with farmers, local governments, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders. These partnerships will make a positive change in the world. (3)
Stakeholders Who Are Affected and How Monsanto shareholders – the more visible their genetically modified seeds are the more likelihood consumers will accept them as part of the food they buy and eat. If Monsanto seeds are used by more farmers throughout the world they will gain more market share and improve the value of the company’s stock. Consumers – would benefit more if Monsanto were to produce better crop yielding, more resistant to harsh growing environment and resource saving seeds. Such as seeds that use less water, stronger seeds that are able to with stand more diseases. Though consumer’s still argue that organically grown food is dramatically superior in mineral content to that grown by modern conventional methods. (4) Seed Industry – if more company such as Monsanto can show the world that, by using biotechnology and genetically modifying seeds, can create a more sustainable agriculture the world will view these companies as helping the world to meet the needs of a growing population. Monsanto Employees – advances in seed and continuous improvement in farming practices are helping farmers in many countries make agriculture more sustainable. These accomplishments will allow each Monsanto employee feel that they are part of attaining the company’s goals and helping the world.
IV. Solution to the Ethical Issues Monsanto can meets its social responsibility by continuing to use biotechnology to develop seeds that will create a higher yield in crops and to continue partnering with farmers in growing crops that are genetically modified and that don’t harm other plants. Monsanto and other companies like them need to keep developing seeds that can help the world to feed its growing global population so that farmers can raise more foods and use fewer pesticides and less fertilizer. Monsanto will not only help farmers and consumers but they will also help the environment by using less water, less fields and create less pollution with using less pesticides. All of which will allow consumers to see that the company is not only socially responsible but also profitable thus maximizing stockholders profits. With USDA backing that foods created from GMO seeds are safe for consumption, Monsanto can claim their reliance on biotechnology is vital in their pursuit of sustainable agriculture.
V. Conclusion In pursuit of its economic obligation to shareholders, the Monsanto company has used biotechnology by genetically modifying seeds that has the potential to produce greater crops, using less resource such as water and soil, thus conserving them and helping ensure that future generations of farmers will be able to meet the world’s needs. The more the consumers see that foods produced by these seeds are consumable and that these seeds can help the world’s population by creating sustainable agriculture, the world will accept these genetically modified organism more. Monsanto is delivering on its goal to work hand in hand with farmers in meeting the world’s agricultural needs. Jim Greenwood, the head of Biotechnology Industry Organization said, “Biotechnology can help crops thrive in drought-prone areas, improve the nutrition content of foods, grow alternative energy sources and improve the lives of farmers and rural communities around the globe”. (5).

VI. Bibliography
1. Monsanto.Com. Food Safety. Retrieved April 6, 2011 from http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/food-safety.aspx
2. Layton, Lyndsey. Washington Post.Com. Retrieved April 6, 2011 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/genetically-modified-crops-get-boost-over-organics-with-recent-USDA-rulings
3. Monsanto.Com. Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report. Retrieved April 6, 2011 from http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/corporate-responsibility-sustainability-report
4. Small-Farm-Permaculture-and Sustainable-Living.Com. Pros and Cons. Retrieved April 6, 2011 from http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/advantages-and-disadvantages
5. Layton, Lyndsey. Washington Post.Com. Retrieved April 6, 2011 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/genetically-modified-crops-get-boost-over-organics-with-recent-USDA-rulings