Al Noor Public School Science Discussion

Post an entry on the discussion board related to the application of biotechnology in the Roundup Ready Canola Case Study.

You may review the entries of other students once you have posted your submission.

Your discussion should focus on the following questions:

1. Did you agree with the verdicts? Why or why not?
2. Percy Schmeiser is often portrayed as David taking on the Goliath, Monsanto. Is that a factual depiction? Why or why not?
3. Who determines whether genetically modified foods are safe?

How might the testing/regulation process be open to abuse?

1. Biotechnology and Food Production Discussion:
2. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are extremely common today, possibly more than you realize. Post an entry on the discussion board related to your research and analysis of GMOs, including the associated social, legal, environmental, health, and economic issues. Your post should include facts and relevant examples, from credible sources.You may review the entries of other students once you have posted your submission.Your discussion may focus on one or more of these questions:

Why do corporations make GMOs?What are the potential benefits associated with GMOs?What are the potential risks?What are the regulations regarding GMOs in your region?Should private companies be able to patent life forms, including genetic material?What are some of the social, legal, environmental, health, and economic arguments for or against the use of genetically modified crops? please answer both discussion questions separtly

08/05/2022, 01:35
Listen
 
Roundup Ready Canola Case

Roundup Ready Canola Case
In the 1970s, Monsanto, a large chemical and biotechnology company developed
the herbicide (weed killer) called glyphosate which was marketed under the name
of Roundup. Roundup killed all actively growing plants but did not prevent seeds
from germinating. Homeowners used it to kill weeds in sidewalks and driveways
but not in lawns and gardens. Farmers used it to clear fields of vegetation before
planting.
In the 1990s, Monsanto produced a genetically modified canola plant. Canola is a
seed crop; the seeds are harvested for their oil. The new canola plant was
resistant to glyphosate. Roundup could be sprayed on fields of canola to kill
weeds but not the canola. Monsanto patented its new canola crop as Roundup
Ready Canola, and farmers who used it paid a patent fee and agreed not to save
the seeds from one year to plant the next. They would buy seeds each year from
Monsanto as well as their Roundup.
https://lms.virtualhighschool.com/d2l/le/content/64875/viewContent/1089905/View
1/2
08/05/2022, 01:35
Roundup Ready Canola Case
In 1997, Percy Schmeiser, a Saskatchewan farmer, discovered that some of his
fields contained Roundup Ready Canola although he had not planted any of the
seed. He saved the seed and planted it next year but did not pay any patent fee.
Monsanto discovered this and approached Schmeiser about paying the patent
fee. He refused and Monsanto sued. Schmeiser countersued Monsanto for
contaminating his fields.
The Verdict
The case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada where the decision (5
judges to 4) was made in favour of Monsanto. Schmeiser had knowingly planted
the seeds but he did not use any Roundup to kill weeds so he did not benefit from
using Roundup Ready Canola. Since Schmeiser had not profited from his use of
the Monsanto seed, he did not have to pay damages including Monsanto’s legal
fees. It was a partial victory for both sides. Monsanto owned the patent rights for
the canola plants.
The Follow-Up
Monsanto agreed to remove any Roundup Ready Canola that ended up in fields
by mistake, provided that there was no disclosure of the problem. In 2006,
Schmeiser requested that Monsanto remove genetically modified canola from one
of his fields. He refused to sign the nondisclosure waiver and Monsanto refused to
remove the plants. Schmeiser removed the plants himself and billed Monsanto for
the $660 expense. They refused to pay and Schmeiser took them to small claims
court. Monsanto settled with Schmeiser, paying his expenses without having him
sign the waiver.
https://lms.virtualhighschool.com/d2l/le/content/64875/viewContent/1089905/View
2/2