The planet : mutiny against Monsanto

The chemical giant Monsanto was established 1901 and was engaged primarily in food additives , until it began to develop genetically modified products at the same time when the medical research his field has commenced. But doctors marked their first success in 1982 when the first recombinant insulin was licensed, the Monsanto chemists had to run a much longer way until GM corn was developed.

Presently, Monsanto is number one company in this field. In the fiscal year 2009 Monsanto sold genes and seed for $7.3 billion outstripping the second in raw DuPont ($4billion).

The market success of Monsanto is not accompanied by general acceptance. Protests against GMP augment. For instance , in 2002 , the Zambia government has not accepted the humanitarian corn freight although the country suffered heavy hunger.

But there is no other way for human beings .

We have to consider that a hungry planet can’t afford to reject efficient agricultural technologists. Most European countries banning GMP cultivation allow the import of them.

Monsanto is criticized also from the other unsatisfied chorus – the people stipulate that Monsanto seeds are to good and thus monopolize the market..

Farmers traditionally complain of high prices but go on buying seeds. 90% of soy- beans and 80% of corn and cotton produced in US are grown of Monsanto seeds. Business model of Monsanto means increasing productivity.

Monsanto corn and cotton comprise the gene of soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis generating toxin which kills pests. For decades farmers spattered seeds with the toxin, now it is incorporated into the plant making it possible to get larger crop with the same amount of fertilizer.

To get on a hectare more food for small money Monsanto combines gene engineering with selection. “Selection enables to increase the harvest , the gene engineering protects of pests and draught”, so Hugh Grant, Monsanto President.

The public remains still suspicious : when the pharmaceutical giant Pharmacia (now Pfizer) planned to fuse with Monsanto, the value of its shares dropped :the pharmaceutical business was reluctant to enter the unpredictable biotechnological market.

Monsanto explains its monopoly position on the market by pointing on the gene engineering which became its miracle stick. “The voting is performed each spring. If farmers come to buy seeds again it means you have made a good work”, so H. Grant.

http: //www.forbesrussia.

25.02.2010, 1106��.