Monsanto

摘要

Frankenfood. Genetically modified organisms. Synthetic growth hormones to increase milk production inrncows. For some people, just the mention of Monsanto is enough to turn them off their dinners. While the biotech food giant and world's top seed seller has its share of detractors, few would dispute Monsanto's influence on the global food chain. About 97% of U.S. soy is now grown using Monsanto technology, and the company's insect- and herbicide-resistant corn and cotton have become the default standard for U.S. farmers. Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen argues that it's "light years" ahead of rivals, noting that "if you don't have Monsanto's seeds for soybeans, you can't compete [because] the yield per acre is so much better."