Monsanto Case

Q: Does Monsanto maintain an ethical culture that can effectively respond to various stakeholders?

A: On the outside, Monsanto seems to be following ethical corporate responsibility. They are giving back to the community and making sure they don't pollute the environment. The company used the concept of Social Responsibility and Business Ethics to create a reputation of value to various stakeholders. Monsanto contributed 15 million Dollars to the Donald Danforth Science Center (Ferrell, O.C., pg 311) to do crop research and this fund also helps Brazilian children maintain good health and hygiene. A few of the bad things about them is their regulations have become a financial burden to many farmers and farmers cannot save their seeds for future growth.

What they are lacking is an easy way to contact someone if an ethical decision arises. Their company seems to be very centralized and only the top executive has the authority to make decisions.

As stated in their company website:

"If you are faced with a difficult ethical decision or whenever you have doubts as to the right course of action in a particular situation, you should talk to the General Counsel or Director of Business Conduct. Violations of this Code, including failures to report potential violations bt others, will be viewed as a severe disciplinary matter that may result in personnel action, including termination of employment. If you believe that a violation of this code has occurred, please contact the GC or the DBC. Reports may be made by phone or in person, or submitted in writing via email or intercompany mail."

Q: Compare the benefits of growing GMO seeds for crops with the potential negative consequences of using them.

A: A few benefits to growing GMO seeds are that farmers can expect have higher yields. Furthermore, GMO seeds can now grow more crops on less land, meaning that it should increase the profit for the farmers. With higher yields, it meets the demand for the humanity and increases food for all. Another benefit is they are able to implant seeds with genes that make the plants themselves kill the bugs that normally destroy multiple acres of crops.

However, GMO seeds do have potential negative consequences. Critiques were unsure about the health honesty issue that might be caused by GMO seeds, since the effect might not be shown in short-term period.

Reference

Ferrell, O.C., Fraedrich, J. and Ferrell, L. (2011). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and

cases, 8th ed.

http://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/Pages/code-of-ethics.aspx