Blog 8: Monsanto is Making a Killing off World Hunger and its Bug-Eviscerating Seeds

Summary

A recent article conveys that Monsanto, the largest seed-seller in the world has made an immense profit off of seed selling in the past year. Earnings have increased from $ 1.5 billion to $1.7 billion in that duration of time. In order for this growth to continue, Monsanto has to consistently keep up productivity in current markets and open new markets as well. The opening of new markets could be a catastrophe considering that multiple countries have prohibited the utilization of genetically modified crops. The two segments that Monsanto focuses on the most are agricultural productivity, and seeds and genomics. With this, Monsanto’s plan is to eliminate the usage of agricultural products and focus on what they call the more promising margins possible in the seed business. They started by ending the patent for their smash-hit herbicide Roundup which was a huge historical growth driver. The Roundup seed business did prosper, but in order for it to have done so, farmers and gardeners needed Roundup-resistant seeds for crops such as corn, soy, and cotton. So far this shift has been a success due to the fact that Monsanto’s seeds and genomics segment comprised almost 80% of its sales versus 70% the year before. While virulent insects are a disaster for farmers, they happen to be beneficial for Monsanto. For example, a caterpillar whose origin is Asia is causing harm to Brazilian soy and cotton farmers. This has convinced Monsanto’s management to consider this their “biggest milestone.” The caterpillar epidemic has influenced the Brazilian government to put its country on “red alert” and port inspections are increasing. To Monsanto’s benefit, they have an expensive soybean that this laced with a protein from a virus that immediately kills the caterpillar. This is considered the biggest launch in Monsanto’s history and they are now selling the genetically tweaked cotton seeds in Brazil!

Analysis

The is one of the most interesting articles I've read yet. The good aspects of this article is that Monsanto is making lots of money off of seeds that feed those suffering from global hunger. This means that our people around the world are getting fed.
On the other hand, opening up more markets in other countries could be the downfall considering that their against genetically grown crops. This could be detrimental for Monsanto and could cause a deficit in their earnings which could possibly lead to them failing overall.

http://qz.com/194583/monsanto-is-making-a-killing-off-world-hunger-and-its-bug-eviscerating-seeds/

Blog #8: Progress for Women in Less Developed Countries

Summary: Progress has been made for women in developing countries to help the prevention of excessive bleeding after child birth. This new drug is said to be in circulation with 12 countries starting in June. The World Health Organization will conduct this new innovation drug research with Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the UK and Uganda. This research trial will take place over a span of eighteen months and will test the effectiveness. This new innovative drug can be stored at room temperature in hot and tropical locations which is a wonderful plus unlike drugs they used before.

Analysis: A new drug is in research which will help women in less developed countries will help women with excessive bleeding after child birth. Thankfully, this new drug will be able to be kept at room temperature unlike oxytocin which was most commonly used however, it needed to be refrigerated. Many health centeres around those areas with women having this problem unfortunately had unreliable energy supplies. Less developed countries were not able to have up to par storage facilities as well as harsh roads to cross which make it particularly hard during rainy seasons in this area. This new drug will be able to successfully decrease mortality rates for both the mothers and the new born infants in these areas. If this new drug works effectively the new maker of the drug will work with the World Health Organization to make this drug a reasonable price for those in less developed countries.  This new drug shows promise in helping the women in less developed countries gain proper medical health for both them and their children as well as being affordable, easily stored and effective.


Source: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/apr/04/drug-excessive-bleeding-after-childbirth-save-lives

Blog 8, India needs multi-pronged approach to eradicate poverty: Report

Summary

This article talks about how a multi-pronged approach, with the focus on inclusive economic growth would help eradicate poverty, which is increasingly getting concentrated in a few geographical areas.  This article is based on observations of the India Public Policy Report, also known as the IPPR.  The report was just released this week and in the report it says, “Overcoming poverty requires a context specific multi-pronged strategy that includes: a basic needs approach, a human rights entitlement approach, a natural resource management approach and a focus on inclusive economic growth”.  The biggest problem in India, is that poverty is becoming increasingly concentrated in a few geographical areas.  This is a particular among specific groups, with poverty increasing in the urban areas as well.  The report’s Policy Effectiveness Index, is based on four factors - livelihood opportunity, social opportunity, rule of law and physical infrastructure development.

Analysis

This article was very short and to the point.  The main point of this article, was to touch on the most recent information regarding poverty in India.  This happened to be the India Pubic Policy Report.  Inclusive economic growth is defined as "a concept which advances equitable opportunities for economic participants, during the process of economic growth, with benefits incurred by every section of society.  So when referring this to India, this would mean that the goal is to make sure equality and equal opportunity is spreading throughout India, and not just in one area.  Currently, poverty is becoming increasingly concentrated in a few geographical areas.  This means that these particular areas are experiencing a high level of inequality, which is now increasing in the urban areas as well.  Livelihood opportunity, social opportunity, and the rule of law and physical infrastructure development, are the sole reasons as to why this is a problem in India.  The first step in working towards a solution, would be to focus on the infrastructure and the social opportunity of these more poverty prone areas.