Summary of Monsanto’s Harvest of fear by Barlett and Steele The summer day in 2002 at the town square of Eagleville, Missouri, a tiny farm community 100 miles north of Kansas City. Gary Rinehart was behind the counter of the Square Deal, his "old-time country store," as he states. When a stranger walked in and issued his threat. As Rinehart would recall, the man began to verbally attack him, saying he had proof that Rinehart had planted Monsanto's genetically modified (G.M.) soybeans in violation of the company's patent.…
‘ Why Does Monsanto Sue Farmers Who Save Seeds?’ gave the reader’s facts, background information for the company and showed why Monsanto can be trusted regarding their laws and regulations. Readers would likely agree that abiding by seed infringement laws is just as significant as following other rules after reading this article. By using rhetorical techniques Monsanto gave a compelling argument in favor of their patent laws and why they pursue the wrongdoing of those…
In the article “Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear”, by Donald Barlett and James Steele; there are claims made that state that Monsanto is the ruler of all of the United States food production. Monsanto produces genetically enhanced seeds that resist many weed killers such as their own product, Roundup. By doing this Monsanto has put a patent on these seeds, this means that farmers have to buy Monsanto’s product. But, when farmers buy the seeds they have to sign a contract agreeing to not reuse them, so that they are required to buy more. Monsanto is so strict on this policy that they have hired Gestapo like subjects called “seed police” to go check farmer’s fields.…
The following are some of the problems facing Scott Deter and Ventria. They are trying to produce and market genetically modified rice in the state of California. In a previous case called “Prodigene”, genetically modified corn was produced then the following year soybeans were produced. In the same field, volunteer corn, sprouted from the previous season’s corn amongst the soybeans. This is just one way ordinary food can be contaminated with genetically modified food.…
Our society is facing some big challenges, like combating climate change, utilizing water and other resources more efficiently, and making a more balanced meal accessible for everyone. No one organization or company can do it alone, and Monsanto is certainly not an expert in all areas, so we partner with others like scholars and researchers at major universities to tackle some of these big…
People are starting to feel that Monsanto is gaining monopoly, the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service, over the world’s food crops and its control over seeds is a threat. (topsecretwriters.com) From 1997 to present day, Monsanto has filed lawsuits against an average of 9 farmers per year for 16 years because the farmers “improperly reused their patented seeds.” Since they started they haven’t lost a single case they they have filed. There have also been farmers that have tried to…
She applies statistics such as “in 2010, as much as eighty-six percent of corn, up to ninety percent of soybeans and nearly ninety-three percent of cotton grown were GM varieties” (42) to logically convince her readers most of the foods they consume are genetically modified. Also, she uses testimonies like Doug Gurian-Sherman’s (a writer from the Union of Concerned Scientists) to provide hard evidence how genetically modified seeds are underexamined (45). Also, she presents two Purdue scientists, Professor Huber and Professor Johal, who claim in a paper written in 2009, “the widespread use of glyphosate… can significantly increase the severity of various plant diseases, impair plant defense to pathogens and disease and immobilize soil and plant nutrients” (45). These testimonies promote her claim that GM foods have safety issues. Likewise, she employs facts into her argument to support her claims.…
This article is simply judgmental. Although over a hundred years old, Monsanto has become a broad name amongst college…
Monsanto is biotechnological company that provides seeds for genetically modified organisms and agriculture (Ferrell & Hartline, 2014). Many consumers fear the unexplainable effects of GMO’s that prefer to not consume products that contain them or are a production of them (Entine, 2014).Monsanto has taken a commitment for sustainable agriculture that meets the needs of a growing society by working with farmers globally (“Who We Are”, n.d.). Not only is the company developing plans that will produce more, but also improving lives. Because GMO’s are frowned upon, one essential way for Monsanto to fulfill its moral obligation is through partnerships and knowledge. The company currently partners with local farmers and government and other stakeholders…
"I knew something was wrong around here," he said. (Grunwald) These conflicting observations from Monsanto, the EPA and local residents surely would insist that the precautionary principle be the prudent course of action. In summary, the Precautionary Principle states that if you have reasonable suspicion of harm, and there is scientific uncertainty, then one has a duty to take action to prevent harm by shifting the burden of proof of safety onto those whose are carrying out said questionable activities. In absence of the precautionary practice and the growing frustration resulting from personal observations/experiences noted above, a grassroots movement developed.…
“Recent studies have found that farmers growing genetically engineered crops are using just as many toxic pesticides and herbicides as conventional farmers and in some cases using more”(Miller). In addition, scientists predict that there will be a growth in “ BT- resistant pests will eliminate the effectiveness of a natural pesticide that organic farmers use”(Miller). Scientists have tested GMOs on animals to show the effects of consuming Genetically modified crops. One example is “when female rats were fed GMOs before, and during their pregnancy more than 50% of their offspring died within 3 weeks of birth” (Smith). Finally, many health risks come with dining on these Genetically Modified Organisms.…
Barlett and James B. Steele is a short essay published in 2008 by Vanity Fair talking about the way Monsanto treats their customers, their workers, and how they do not seem to care about the general public. Monsanto created a genetically modified seed that was capable of withstanding “its own herbicide” and allow farmers to have a “convenient way to spray fields with weed killer without affecting crops” (819). Because they are the bigger company, they often try to contact farmers into buying their seeds and to not collect the ones from their crops at the end of the harvesting season. This has resulted in the farmers having to lose out on profits (they had to buy new seeds instead of using their own) and regular customers having to eat these modified seeds without properly checking it first. With Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear, Barlett and Steele tries to inform their audience about not only Monsanto's shady ways of earning profits, but the overall corruption in the agricultural market.…
Over the past decade, the United States of America has seen an increase in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and herbicidal crops. With the rise of GMOs in the United States, a chasm has been created between scientific evidence and the public 's perception of GMOs. On one side, scientifical research has not concluded that GMOs are a health risk but also there is no proof that GMOs are completely safe for consumer consumption. Anti-GMO activists are also on the rise, protesting that GMOs are unnatural, harmful and should require mandatory GMO labeling laws. GMOs are becoming more and more prevalent and are increasing in grocery stores inventories as large corporations use GMOs to their advantage due to their simplicity and production…
Transforming the agriculture industry and making large profits, Monsanto has generated controversy and fears with some of their stakeholders. Attempting to make farming easier, and increase the food supply throughout the world, they could be making harmful impacts on human health and the environment. Monsanto desires to be a beneficial, transparent, respectful, and understanding organization. They have gone against some of their values while trying to be innovative and return profit to their shareholders. Their approach to revolutionize the agriculture industry has put their conduct in question, and diminished the reputation of the organization.…
Genetically modified crops and herbicides used to grow them harm animals and ecosystems. For instance, GMOs reduce “biodiversity, pollute water resources, and are unsustainable” (10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs 2). One example is the 50% population drop of monarch butterflies in the US. Research shows that this is because of the use of the Roundup herbicide. Because of GM crop seeds cross pollination, farmers who choose to grow organic and non-GMO crops “struggle to keep their crops pure” (10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs 1).…