Free Custom «Monsanto Europe» Essay Paper

Introduction

Monsanto is a recognized leader in food systems and genetics. Monsanto is a pesticide and chemical manufacturer identifiable as a major biotechnology player. It is rapidly expanding through acquisition of diverse biotech establishments. Monsanto recently initiated a publicity campaign to encourage consumption of genetically engineered food. However, it was accused of manufacturing and selling food products with lots of pesticide content, which in turn facilitate use of its pesticides. The accusations resulted in wide scale abandonment of its products. For instance, genetically engineered Roundup Ready Soybeans that Monsanto created were more resistant to the Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer. The weed killer eliminates other numerous useful insects and weeds. Its sales would only profit Monsanto while eliminating from the ecological system some important insects and plants that maintain a necessary ecological balance, which ensures optimum crop production.

Problems in Europe

While Monsanto’s supporters have claimed that the corporation endeavors to eliminate global hunger, others assert the contrary. Many claim that Monsanto is unaware that people face hunger because they cannot pay for food. Some economic strategies and global trade practices have aggravated poverty in poor nations. Even though genetically engineered food products could lessen incidence and prevalence of hunger, the issue is irresolvable unless the underlying causes are holistically addressed. European farmers also view Monsanto’s proven interest in terminator technology as just another profit-motivated ploy. To them, no other cogent motive for investing in a technological skill can stop seed germination. This, therefore, just adds to the expenses European farmers will incur if this technology is approved.

 

Type of service

Type of assignment

Title of your paper *

Academic level

Pages

Timeframe

Spacing

Currency

  Order now

Unenthusiastic public response to genetically engineered food products has disturbed Monsanto’s directors for many years now. Of all regions, Europe has spearheaded full-scale resistance of genetically engineered food products. The depth of concern regarding the issue resulted in an October 1998 European Union’s cessation of the distribution of Monsanto’s genetically modified food products. From 1999 to date, many EU countries have tagged some foods products with modified constituents because of the standoff. France, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany, and Belgium have approved such moves.

How Monsanto Can develop Its European Market

To win back skeptical consumers, Monsanto can opt to develop food products that not only cater for the nutritional needs of the body but also with no adverse environment effects. Monsanto previously generated billions of dollars of food products using genetically modified seeds to fight off insects and effects of herbicides. However, public adulation and acceptance is more important than any economic achievement. Monsanto has suffered criticisms in the past concerning its policies and its production processes. Many people were, and are still, skeptical of consuming food products whose genes have been tampered with by a company that cannot possibly be aware of the full range of consequences its products have on humanity. In the recent past, genetically modified plants and crops have been outlawed in several European nations.

Instead of using massive funds to win supporters, Monsanto can invest in other ways of convincing people of the safety of its food products. Over the years, GMO debates have been fed by citizens’ pressure and demands that more information concerning the production of genetically modified foods is made available to the public. Making public the procedure of its production methods is a tactic that can change perception of foods made by Monsanto in Europe. Before Monsanto can enjoy public support in European nations, it has to address issues concerning the degradation of the environment, development of disease-resistant plants, the possibility of weed evolution, and emergence of insect strains resistant to any existing pesticides or herbicides. In overall, Monsanto must overhaul its strategies to reflect the interests of the public.