Biotechnology and Corporations A sample project by Mr. Beckerman

Corporations can invest the money and effort needed for scientific innovation William Standish Knowles is a Nobel prize-winning chemist who performed his work at Monsanto Monsanto reports that it invests $2.6 million daily in research and development Monsanto has created a $10 million grant program called the “Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program” to “develop highly educated rice and wheat plant breeders who can serve as future agricultural leaders.”

Patents can allow corporations to sue small farmers Monsanto reports that it has filed 144 lawsuits related to biotechnology in the U.S. between 1997 and 2010 In 2004, Monsanto Canada Inc. sued a canola farmer named Percy Schmeiser because his fields contained one of Monsanto’s patented genes – This case went to the supreme court of Canada Schmeiser claimed that he never bought any genetically modified seeds from Monsanto Monsanto won the case

Do Corporations have too much power? In 1999, the top five biotechnology corporations, which include Monsanto, controlled 60% of the pesticide market, 23% of the commercial seed market, and essentially all of the GM seed market.

Conclusions Corporations can be important partners in the advancement of science Because corporations have so much money and power, we must be careful to prevent them from forming a monopoly over agriculture In the future, clearly defined legal guidelines must accompany scientific advances, not lag behind them

Works Cited Cook, Christopher D. “Control over Your Food: Why Monsanto’s GM Seeds Are Undemocratic – CSMonitor.com.” The Christian Science Monitor – CSMonitor.com. Web. 20 Nov Knowles, William S. “William S. Knowles – Autobiography.” Nobelprize.org. Web. 20 Nov “Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser.” Federal Court. Web. 20 Nov Monsanto. “Monsanto ~ Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program.” Monsanto ~ Home. Web. 20 Nov Monsanto. “Monsanto ~ Why Does Monsanto Sue Farmers Who Save Seeds?” Monsanto ~ Home. Web. 20 Nov Van Beuzekom, Brigitte, and Anthony Arundel. “OECD Biotechnology Statistics 2009.” oecd.org. Web. 20 Nov