Genetically Modified Soy Beans

Analysis:

This article is about a new breed of soybean bean developed by Monsanto, the largest supplier of agricultural supplies in the world. The local angle of this story is that Zeeland Farm Industries, a local company, has been contracted by Monsanto to process this new soybean breed. One important piece of information mentioned in the article is that this new bread of soy bean was developed from a genetically modified soy bean. The article notes this fact and then states that “While environmental groups question the safety of genetically engineered crops, Cook (Monsanto representative) said most soybeans in the United States are genetically engineered and Vistive is approved by federal regulators.” These claims by environmental groups are not elaborated in the article, nor is the rebuttal from Monsanto verified with any independent voices or information. This lack of context on genetically modified foods is unfortunate but not atypical. The issue of potential negative impacts on the environment on health and the environment has not been a story the commercial press has readily addressed. According to the media watchdog group Project Censored, this issue was on the top ten underreported news stories for 2001. Other Project Censored reports show that since 2001, this issue has continued to be either mis-reported or under-reported.

Story:

ZFS, Monsanto team up to grow healthier soybeans
Tuesday, September 27, 2005By Ron Cammel
The Grand Rapids Press
ZEELAND — A new food labeling law is leading to new business for Zeeland Farm Services Inc.

The farm supplier and food processor contracted with agricultural giant Monsanto Co. to process a newly developed soybean that does not require hydrogenation.

Hydrogenation is a process which increases shelf life and flavor stability in fried foods, baked goods, snack products and other processed foods. The process also creates trans fatty acid, which is blamed for coronary heart disease.

Starting Jan. 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will require nutrition labels to specify content of trans fatty acid, also called trans fat.

Food manufacturers want to prevent trans fat from turning away consumers and have looked for alternatives to hydrogenation, said Chris Cook of Monsanto.

Over the past 10 years, Monsanto developed a soybean, Vistive, with low linolenic acid, reducing the need for hydrogenation, he said.

The 150-employee Zeeland Farm Services will contract with several growers in Michigan to grow the beans in 2006 and return the crop to Zeeland Farm Services for processing into oil and feed.

Zeeland Farm Services already supplies food makers with a low-linolenic soybean oil from a bean developed by Ohio State University, company spokesperson Norma Knoll said.

Monsanto’s bean, however, also includes the genetically engineered Roundup Ready trait, which reduces weeds in fields.
While environmental groups question the safety of genetically engineered crops, Cook said most soybeans in the United States are genetically engineered and Vistive is approved by federal regulators.

The Ohio State bean is helping ZFS satisfy manufacturers’ demand for nonhydrogenated products before the Jan. 1 deadline, but Visitive should be a more cost-effective solution, Knoll said.

Monsanto spent “millions of dollars” to develop the low-linolenic trait in Vistive through conventional breeding, starting with genetically engineered crops, Cook said.

ZFS, which could have the soybean growing on 25,000 acres next year, is the only Michigan company to contract for the product. Monsanto expects 500,000 acres of Vistive to be grown in 2006 nationally, after a limited trial this year.