In Argentina, the world’s third largest producer of soybeans, the spread of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready genetically altered soybeans has been practically uninhibited, raising yields—and a thorny debate. The company received Argentine approval to sell altered seeds three years ago—as in the United States, with little public and government opposition. In Europe, by contrast, efforts to introduce transgenic plants, sometimes derided as “frankenplants,” has sparked loud protest. Today, 50% of Argentina’s total 18.5 million acres (7.5 million hectares) of soybeans are Roundup Ready, up from 1.5% in 1997. Monsanto says it hopes to boost that share to 80% by the 2000-2001 season. As a result, Argentina now ranks second behind the United States in land area devoted to transgenic crops. And it appears to... [Log in to read more]