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Monsanto Case

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Case 1
1. There are several ethical issues in this case. The first issue is the most significant, the alteration and manipulation of crop seeds and its effect on humans and the environment. Although the seeds lead to higher crop yields, they have not been sufficiently tested on humans and we have no idea what effects they could have on human health. More specifically, the issue of allowing seeds to produce their own insecticide and the harm that ingesting glyphosphate, even in small amounts, could have on humans and animals. Currently, farmers do not have to show when food is genetically altered on food labels, so individuals may not know they are consuming these products. Through cross-pollination insects can easily carry the seed genes to other plants and create weeds that are pesticide resistant and uncontrollable. The second issue in this case concerns the patenting of Monsanto’s products and preventing fair competition. Monsanto requires farmers to purchase new seeds every year and can also sue farmers whose crops are contaminated through cross-pollination. Their actions have already gained the attention of the American Antitrust Institute and the Department of Justice for anticompetitive activities. Third, Monsanto has already been prosecuted for bribery in foreign countries and dumping of toxic chemicals in Alabama. They may be participating in more illegal and unethical practices to ensure their products use in new markets. Lastly, it seems the company is continually working on increasing profits without focusing on the possible harmful effects their products could have, the sustainability of crops, and that their farmers are producing sufficient profits for themselves with the increasing cost of using genetically modified seeds. This ethical culture is clearly not what stakeholders expect out of a company that they invest their money in.

2. There are negatives and positives to using GM Seeds. A negative of using GM, is that it is fairly new and the complete health implications are not fully known until many years from now. They also say that affective standards have not yet been created to determine the safety of the biotech crops. Another reason is they do not yet know the implications that may occur after splicing the genes in the seeds. A positive is there is an increased food supply, which is maintained at faster speeds. Also can alter pests and bug control. There is also the ability to make the food bigger.

3. The right way to handle the harm to plants and animals using roundup, is also the most ethical way. They either need to figure out how to control the harmful part of the product, or they could completely abolish the product and make one that is more environmentally friendly. With the way the company is looked upon ethically speaking, their best bet is to create a brand that is completely environmentally friendly in order to increase their standing with the stakeholders and the rest of the community.

Debate issue I believe that it is most definitely wrong to promote socially responsible services. The reasoning behind this is that this service promotes an action that is perceived by many as one of the most disgusting things you could do. That being said, if this service is continually provided and accessed as easily as “registering in a minute”, than it will become more socially acceptable. We can not let our generation become one that accepts this action. If this service is continued than the divorce rates will continue to climb, which directly correlates to the number of children that will have to grow up with only one parent (which has shown to have a great affect on the upbringing of a child).

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