...as self regulation, especially when it is ultimately run by management, which is what self study ultimately boils down to. But let's be realistic. I won't claim that the scientists working in Monsanto labs are incorruptible, but they likely received the same sort of ethical training that I received. Most of us view science as a culture of honesty, and while that might be particularly true of academics, and there are certainly exceptions to the rule, I still believe that Monsanto's scientists are generally honest, ethical people. I won't say the same for management, but if the data collectors are honest and ethical, then short and inexpensive trials are simply insufficient for any purpose, good or bad, and not deliberately dishonest. There is certainly no reason to assume a priori that they are designed to conceal harmful intent.
I'm sure it's also true that Monsanto's management sees little advantage in investing in a product or process and then seeing it proven unfit to market, so I agree with you that their self interest precludes objective self study. But I also believe that most of the folks in the labs are careful, ethical scientists, so I'm a whole lot less worried than most of the anti-GMO crowd. It helps to understand the technology-- although I don't do any molecular biology in my own work I have done it in the past, in lab rotations and in postgraduate work, so I'm not unreasonably fearful of genetic engineering.
I completely agree with you that Monsanto has done considerable harm, although I would also argue that others like petroleum companies have done far more harm, exponentially more, yet the anti-GMO crowd seems oddly silent about REAL social disinvestment in fossil fuels, to the extent that they have demanded bans on all things Monsanto, which would dramatically reduce everyone's quality of life.
I would not spare a single tear if Monsanto bites the dust-- I think its business practices are awful. Science illiteracy chaps my ass though, as does fearful ignorance masquerading as prudence or principles.
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