1. Does Monsanto maintain an ethical culture that can effectively respond to various stakeholders?
No, it does not. Monsanto have tried, but still fails to even create an ethical culture that can effectively respond to various stakeholders. Considering how many problems over how long of a time Monsanto has made them, they constantly get legislation regarding their product passed in countries, including America, through unethical means. However, the company used the concept of Social Responsibility and Business Ethics to create a reputation value to various stakeholders. For instance, Monsanto gave fifteen million dollars to Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to do crop research in Africa. Also, the fund helped Brazilian children to maintain good health and basic hygiene. In addition, Monsanto supported students who want to study agriculture. But, Monsanto Company’s regulation had become financial burden to many farmers. Farmers who buy seeds from Monsanto could not save for future plant. Else, Farmers will have to pay for Monsanto when they find out. Furthermore, Monsanto produced products that involved in the risk of animals and human health. Some of Monsanto’s actions should considered moral temptation.
2. Compare the benefits of growing GM seeds for crops with the potential negative consequences of using them.
Benefits:
- Farmers could expect better yields if they used GM seeds.
- Farmers can now grow more crops in smaller amount of land which in effect would increase farmers’ profit.
- With better yields, it would meet the demand for humanity in the future knowing that population is constantly increasing.
- Crop resists against pest, and drought. Potential Negative Consequences
- Health safety issue that caused by GM seeds since the effect might not be shown in short-term period.
- Another concern with GM seeds in general is the threat of environmental contamination.
For instance, bumblebees, insects, and wind can carry a crop’s seeds to other areas, sometimes to fields containing non-GM crops. These seeds and pollens might then mix in with the farmer’s crops which would pose a serious threat toward those farmers who do not use GM seeds. Even though FDA has approved, many still believe that GM seeds were unnatural since what goes into the seeds can be controlled.