Item GCMS/4/5 - Monsanto

Extent: 1 folder

Articles by and about the American biotechnology company Monsanto including interview/essay by Hugh Grant (CEO), emails from Tony Combes of MONSANTO on company policies, combating bad press, GM issues and copies of articles on Genetic engineering; article 'CGIAR Centers' Position on Genetic Resources, Intellectual Property Rights and Biotechnology'; email correspondence with Greg A Penner

Admin History: Monsanto Company was an agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation. It was headquartered in Creve Coeur, Greater St. Louis, Missouri. Monsanto was one of the first companies to apply the biotechnology industry business model to agriculture, using techniques developed by biotech drug companies. In this business model, companies recoup R&D expenses by exploiting biological patents. Monsanto's roles in agricultural changes, biotechnology products and lobbying of government agencies and roots as a chemical company resulted in controversies. The company once manufactured controversial products such as the insecticide DDT, PCBs, Agent Orange and recombinant bovine growth hormone. Its seed patenting model was criticized as biopiracy and a threat to biodiversity. In September 2016, Bayer announced its intent to acquire Monsanto for US$66 billion. After gaining US and EU regulatory approval, the sale was completed on June 7, 2018.