Monsanto

This case focuses on Monsanto’s desire to balance the many significant benefits that its products bring to society (and the company’s resulting profits) with the interests of a variety of stakeholders. The case examines Monsanto’s history as it shifted from a chemical company to one focused on biotechnology. Monsanto’s development of genetically modified seeds and bovine growth hormone are discussed, along with the safety and environmental concerns expressed by a number of Monsanto’s stakeholders around the world. Some of Monsanto’s ethical and patent-enforcement issues are addressed, along with the company’s major corporate responsibility initiatives. 1.Companies, like Monsanto, that offer technology to improve human lives are often said to have a moral obligation to society. How can Monsanto best fulfill this moral obligation while also protecting society and the environment from the potential negative consequences of its products? 2. What do you make of Monsanto’s “seed police?” Although patent protection is vital for every firm, do you believe that seeds, no matter how scientifically manipulated, should be considered technology, considering how essential they are to the basic necessities of agriculture and food markets. Does Monsanto have any sort of moral obligation to farmers and consumers to make its seeds available at prices affordable to even the poorest of farmers? 3. If you were Monsanto’s CEO, how would you best balance the conflicting needs of the variety of stakeholder groups that Monsanto must successfully engage? Answers should be 200 words each with 2 external reference for each question.