We've been focusing on the benefits of genetically modified crops in class. There are many possible uses for such a agricultural/technical development, ones which we have said have the potential to "reduce world hunger" and perhaps absorb toxins from city air pollution or grow using less water.
I am not concerned with these possibilities (some of which are tantalyzing and exciting to imagine); it is the industrial and commercial control over these crops which bothers me. Very strange things start to happen when corperations try to gain control over food systems.
Lets take a look at Monsanto, a leader in GM crops/biotechnology/chemical production. They started out in 1901 as Monsanto Chemical Works in Missouri developing saccharin (an artificial sweetener), and have since produced things like styrene (synthetic rubber), Agent Orange, Astro Turf, vanillin, acryllic fiber and Nutrasweet (aspartame). They moved into agriculture in the late 60's with the production of herbicides, and in 1990 purchased a biotech firm- starting their development of genetically modification.
in 2000, they merged with Pharmacia Corperation, and then broke off completely to become its own agricultural company in 2002.
Now, the company claims to "apply innovation and technology to help farmers around the world produce more while conserving more. We help farmers grow yield sustainably so they can be successful, produce healthier foods, better animal feeds and more fiber, while also reducing agriculture's impact on our environment." (Lots of ethos, seemingly plenty logos. Sounds like a great company, right?)
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