Monsanto Ethical Issues

Historically, Monsanto was a drug and chemical company, most commonly recognized as the producer of NutraSweet and Equal (Monsanto, 2015). However, it is not as commonly known, but they are also the producer of “Agent Orange”, which was used during the Vietnam War and wrecked havoc on our soldiers nervous systems (Baird, 2015). Unfortunately, many are still dealing with the effects of this drug. Moreover, Monsanto was responsible for the highly toxic pesticide DDT, which was banned in the US in 1972; polychlorinated biphenyl industrial lubricants, banned in the US in 1979; and rBST, the controversial bovine growth hormone to boost milk-production in cows, all of which resulted in legal claims relating to health and environmental damage caused by its products or practices and has had to make substantial payouts (Baird, 2015). Now, they are genetically modifying (GM) seeds, which produce the world’s food (Monsanto, 2015).

Monsanto invests mega-money into research and development of new products.

Thus, Monsanto has joined forces with FMC Agricultural Solutions, Sumitomo Chemical Company, Valent USA, and Novozymes to focus on new and improved products and help the company to enhance products quality (Monsanto, 2015). Additionally, their current research and development strategy and commercial priorities are focused on “bringing customers second and third-generation traits, on delivering multiple solutions in one seed (stacking), and on developing new pipeline products” (Monsanto, 2015, p.

25).

As an investigator for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), I would want all foods that are made with GM products to be labeled to give consumers the choice. Ultimately, knowledge is power and this would place the power of choice with the consumer. Further, I would want all the trials and tests associated with each of the products produced by manufacturers to judge the safety of the products myself. “Because more than ninety percent of consumers favor mandatory labeling of GM foods, congressional action is clearly out of sync with public preference” (Blanchard, 2015, p. 134). As an employee of the FDA it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of food products.

Another factor I would consider as the FDA investigator would be the impact these foods have on animals. Using this approach, “any food additive that has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals would be banned from the marketplace...issues of scientific uncertainty, such as the safety of GM food products, should he analyzed the same way” (Blanchard, 2015, p. 136). Theoretically, I would want the FDA to complete their own tests for accuracy.

Meanwhile, I would want the medical records of the employees who manufacture the GM products. Unfortunately, evidence shows workers suffer with nose, throat, eye, and respiratory irritation, which led to antibody immune responses, infections, ulcers on the cornea, altered consciousness, and seizures (Blanchard, 2015).

As a matter of principle, I would invite all the lobbyists, politicians, and advocates for GM products to a lunch and learn on GM products. After, a presentation by activists, physicians, scientists, and workers who are against GM products, then a lunch of only GM foods would be served. Hence, maybe the eye-opening experience would cause the powers that be to make the best decisions for consumers instead of taking the bribes and gifts in exchange for turning a blind eye to the issues (Wynn, 2015).

Last, I would want to know the impact on the environment. Uniquely, GM seeds are herbicide, insect, and drought tolerant, which contain toxins that kill bugs without having to spray pesticides (The Farmer, 2015). However, “pests have developed resistance, leading to increased use of pesticides and herbicides, and greater damage to the environment” (The Farmer, 2015, p. 23). Not to mention the increase of yellow and purple nutsedge due to the increase of CO2 in the environment (Marble, Prior, Runion, Torbett, & Winder, 2015).

Ultimately, the changes in labeling and regulations as a result of my efforts with the FDA would cause a decrease in revenues for companies who create GM products. As consumers have an awareness of the effects, sales would decline. Also, as consumers became aware of the investors who aid in the production of these products, they would put pressure on these outside firms or the investors would not want to be associated with the negative responses.