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What Are Roundup-ready Soybeans?

Roundup-ready soybeans are soybeans that are able to tolerate the Roundup herbicide. Roundup is the brand name for a particular kind of glyphosate, a herbicide for which Monsanto holds the patent. Roundup is a broad-spectrum, nonselective systemic herbicide. It is absorbed through the leaves and soft stalk tissue of a plant and kills all plant types including perennial broad leaves, grasses and woody plants. It does not kill Roundup-ready soybeans.

  1. The History

    • Glyphosate was first used as an herbicide in 1971. According to the Pesticide Action Network UK, it is now the most prevalent herbicide in the world, representing about 60 percent of global nonselective herbicide sales. Roundup-ready soybeans are one of several crops that have been genetically engineered to resist glyphosate. Monsanto has been a leading developer of these crops. In 1996 they introduced their Roundup-ready soybeans. It was the first Roundup-resistant crop on the market.

    The Advantages

    • According to the Monsanto website, the chief advantage of Roundup-ready soybeans is weed control. With the introduction of Roundup ready soybeans, "farmers could now plant soybeans, spray the soybeans with Roundup, and poof--the weeds were gone and the soybeans were still as healthy as they were before they sprayed the field," according to the website. In other words, the ability to spray Roundup on soybean fields, minimizes the need for cultivation to control weeds. It also minimizes the use of more toxic herbicides such as atrazine.

    The Controversy

    • Most of the controversy surrounding Roundup-ready soybeans centers on the toxicity of Roundup. The Union of Concerned Scientists warns that 12 million acres of American farmland are now being treated with this herbicide. The herbicide is highly toxic to plants and fish. Runoff carries it into waterways and aquifers. Moreover, Roundup-tolerant plants can pass the genetic trait for tolerance to other plants and weeds. Roundup-tolerant weeds have already been reported, and the amount of Roundup being used is increasing as the herbicide loses effectiveness.

    The Future

    • Monsanto's patent for Roundup-ready soybeans expires in 2014. Chief executive Hugh Grant says that the company plans to let the patent expire. Monsanto is expected to introduce new versions of herbicide-resistant soybeans to replace Roundup-ready soybeans.

      In the meantime, the Union of Concerned Scientists is encouraging farmers to explore alternative methods to control weeds in soybean fields. They point to new tillage methods, cover crops and other techniques of weed management, suggesting they may be more environmentally sustainable than genetically-modified, herbicide-resistant crops.

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