Monsanto, whose roots began in creating toxic chemical concoctions such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT, is the world leader in genetically engineered seed production.
It has benefited tremendously from biotechnology by packaging its Roundup Ready line of GE seeds with its Roundup herbicide.
But what’s good for Monsanto’s business isn’t so great for people or the environment.
The Biotech Company Has A Seedy Past:
20th Century
1901
Monsanto is founded.
The artificial sweetener saccharin is its flagship product.
1929
Monsanto produces polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), now-banned carcinogenic chemicals. Dioxins, a byproduct of PCB manufacturing, are dangerous environmental pollutants.
1940s
Monsanto produces polystyrene, the main component in Styrofoam, which creates large amounts of hazardous waste during manufacture.
1945
Monsanto begins manufacturing toxic agricultural chemicals like 2,4-D, later used in Agent Orange.
It also produces DDT.
1956
The U.S. Navy refuses to purchase Monsanto's hydraulic fluid after safety tests associate it with "definite liver damage."
1976
Monsanto introduces Roundup, a synthetic chemical herbicide whose overuse soon creates glyphosate-resistant superweeds.
1984
Monsanto pays millions to Vietnam War veterans suffering from exposure to Agent Orange.
1990s
Monsanto takes 5th among U.S. corporations in the Environmental Protection Ageny's Toxic Release Inventory.
1994
Monsanto introduces recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to increase milk production, despite numerous adverse health concerns.
1996
Monsanto introduces Roundup Ready soybeans, the company's first genetically engineered, pesticide-promoting seed, and the first GE insect-resistant cotton, which produces its own insectide.
Scientists find that aspartame, an artificial sweetener developed by a Monsanto subsidiary, could pose health risks to consumers.
1998
Canadian government scientists accuse Monsanto of bribe attempts in obtaining approval of the drug hormone rBGH in Canada.
21st Century
2002
Monsanto is fined $1.5 million for bribing Indonesian officials to skip an environmental assessment of its GE cotton.
2003
Monsanto and Solutia agree to pay over $700 million to more than 20,000 Anniston, AL, residents over widespread health problems from PCB contamination.
2006
A judge rules that the USDA violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to conduct even minimal investigation into whether GE "pharma crops" could harm endangered species.
Photos: iStockphoto and Shutterstock
Updated: June 2011 | Source: Center for Food Safety
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"Essentially what you’re finding is that Monsanto and a few other companies are, to a very significant extent, controlling what people are eating—to a degree that I think many consumers don’t realize, because they don’t realize how much of the food they eat contains genetically engineered corn, or canola, or soy."