This may sound like a lot, but when you consider that we sell seed to more than 250,000 American farmers a year, it's really a small number"" (Monsanto Company). If Monsanto treats their farmers with dignity, then why does the company have to sue them? The answer is that all of Monsanto's seeds are patented. Farmers are obligated to sign a Monsanto technology agreement with the company that prohibits farms from sharing (accidentally or not) seeds with their neighbors (Monsanto Company, 2012). .
Troy Roush, a soybean farmer, speaks about Monsanto's investigation on his farm beginning in 1999. "Of course we're afraid, you can't defend yourself against these people. They've created a little industry that serves no other purpose than to wreck farmers lives. Monsanto wants to own life"" (Robin, 2008). When officials asked him for his transaction records, he obliged; however, Monsanto had to take it one step further by trespassing on the Roush farm to obtain seed samples. It would appear that Monsanto is not trying to enrich the lives of farmers and that their goal is to exploit farmers in any way they can. .
The farmers are caught in a vicious cycle between using Monsanto's products, being reprimanded by the company, and bankruptcy (Robin, 2008). "Monsanto has become the "life lord" of our planet by collecting rent from farmers for the renewal of life " (Chamberlain, 2013). They're beating down the people that dedicate themselves to providing food for the population. They are making farming an impossible field to be in, with no rewards. Critics say Monsanto needs to realize that we can't eat money. .
In 2005, a patent application for a pig DNA sequence was filed by Monsanto. They claim to have discovered the gene sequence that causes pigs to produce more pork per pound of feed. If the patent is granted, then any pig with this DNA sequence is property of Monsanto. It is a terrifying thought that a corporation may own a species.
