[ClearCase_guy]

I think Monsanto is under attack. Yestersay, NPR had a report on "Roundup Ready" crops from Monsanto. Everything they said made me think that thse are great products that have a dominant market share because they are far superior products. But the overall flavor of the report was that Monsanto was bad and farmers and other companies were miffed at their dominant position.

I'm not a farmer, so maybe I'm missing something, but it sure felt like a mindless slam against a successful company.

[1Swashbuckler]

It seems orchestrated.

[PowderMonkey]

Maybe I'm missing something, but haven't we been doing this to crops since the days of Gregor Mendel and Luther Burbank?

[LearsFool]

But the overall flavor of the report was that Monsanto was bad and farmers and other companies were miffed at their dominant position.

One complaint is the heavy-handed patent enforcement by Monsanto and others (viz. cross-pollination, etc.)

Another is the fact that much GMO seed is genetically engineered to be sterile (so-called "terminator seed") - meaning the harvested seed cannot be planted for next year's crop, as mankind has done since time began. Instead, the farmer has to purchase planting seed again and again. Essentially, this creates a subscription service for Monsanto, et al. (Not exactly a solution to third-world famine, is it?)

[Chuckster]

I would suggest you watch this documentary film on hulu or rent the DVD "The Future of Food" to get some background on GMO crops. Frightening.

[jaydubya2]

I have heard Jeffrey Smith, an anti-GMO guy, making the rounds on several talk shows lately.