Arkansas farmer John McClendon had hoped to buy enough Roundup Ready soybean seeds to plant 1,000 acres in 1996, but when he saw the company's gene licensing agreement, he refused to sign it. I don't have any trouble with Monsanto getting their investment back, but I was disturbed by the provision giving them the right to come on my farm. Also according to Karen Marshall, the Monsanto agreement for Roundup Ready soybeans will be modified for 1997, requiring less stringent inspection and monitoring requirements. Monsanto's role in using and developing the gene licensing agreement is particularly troublesome because the company is one of the world's major players in plant biotechnology and seeds. Monsanto is positioned to influence the sale and distribution of genetically engineered products globally.
China is the world's second largest cotton producer.
There will be many people influencing the decision. The farmer will just give the final nod. We may lose the ability to control these decisions if we are not careful. Of course, the most basic solution is to grow our own food from our own seed. Not everyone has the time or the ability.