Plant Specialist Dustin McMahon hand pollinates genetically modified corn plants inside greenhouses housed on the roof of Monsanto agribusiness headquarters in St Louis, Missouri, 21 May 2009. McMahon is attempting to breed a resistant strain of corn which will one day form the basis of an elite corn crop of the future. Monsanto is at the forefront of biotechnology in the agribusiness sector. These greenhouses are designed and built inhouse and they allow the technicans to monitor plant growth daily. These plants are monitored for the perfect DNA of an elite corn seed and then those plants that make the grade are forwarded to the next stage of the selection process. Monsanto is a controversial global corporate with a history of strong litigation against those it assumes are interfering with its stringent patent laws. This practise as well as its advanced genetically modified technology approach in the agricultural sector have led many to be suspicious of Monsanto and the ultimate good of GM foods. Monsanto argues back that sufficent food production for the future is simply not possible without adequate GM technology in agriculture.
{"Image ImageDescription": "ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 2009: Plant Specialist Dustin McMahon hand pollinates genetically modified corn plants inside greenhouses housed on the roof of  Monsanto agribusiness headquarters in St Louis, Missouri, 21 May 2009.  McMahon is attempting to breed a resistant strain of corn which will one day form the basis of an elite corn crop of the future. Monsanto is at the forefront of biotechnology in the agribusiness sector. These greenhouses are designed and built inhouse and they allow the technicans to monitor plant growth daily. These plants are monitored for the perfect DNA of an elite corn seed and then those plants that make the grade are forwarded to the next stage of the selection process. Monsanto is a controversial global corporate with a history of strong litigation against those it assumes are interfering with its stringent patent laws. This practise as well as its advanced genetically modified technology approach in the agricultural sector have led many to be suspicious of Monsanto and the ultimate good of GM foods. Monsanto argues back that sufficent food production for the future is simply not possible without adequate GM technology in agriculture. (Photograph by Brent Stirton/Getty Images.)", "Image Copyright": "2009 Getty Images"}