Bill Gates Foundation Investing In Monsanto?

from the that's-not-innovation dept

Mon, Aug 30th 2010 2:04pm — Mike Masnick

This is unfortunate. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has certainly been hard at work trying to improve healthcare around the world, but the latest news is that the Foundation has decided to invest in Monsanto, a company famous for widely abusing intellectual property laws to make people a lot less healthy, to increase the cost of some key foods important to feeding the hungry and to generally scare researchers from sharing important information with one another, for fear that it will be patented and locked up. If the Foundation really believes in making people around the globe healthier, it wouldn't be investing in Monsanto, but working hard to break down the barriers that Monsanto has put up to making people around the world healthy.

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Filed Under: bill gates, healthcare, patents, seeds
Companies: bill and melinda gates foundation, monsanto

46 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 2:22pm

Feed them first, make them healthy second.
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Nestor, 30 Aug 2010 @ 2:27pm

Huh
Isn't becoming a major shareholder the fastest way to break down a company down? They should just buy the company!
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 2:43pm

Monsanto leaves a wake of destruction and illness with every move....
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 2:47pm

Who's to say what's attached to that investment. Maybe they see the problem and have decided to attack it.

Don't be all doom and gloom before you know all the facts.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 2:51pm

Being initially distrustful of the Gates Foundation, I've started to trust it more and more over the past few years. This move pretty much burns all that hard-won trust. As far as I'm concerned, they're just another phony, useless tax dodge again.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 2:53pm

Monsanto stock reduced in price by half, so Bill Gates made a really unfortunate financial decision , both financially and morally.
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Tom The Toe, 30 Aug 2010 @ 2:57pm

Maybe a change is at hand
Bill has the stroke to change things from the inside. When change comes to a large corporation it comes from the top down. Wait and see the shakeup in the board and executive level.
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CJ (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 3:06pm

watch that money fly
Monsanto must of needed a boost. Gates was the ticket. Gates hopefully will see his mistake. If not, he will go down with them.
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Designerfx (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 3:15pm

really?
Did you ever think that everything gates is doing is altruistic??

The man has done plenty of shady investing with their foundation. dig a little deeper.
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Oroboros (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 3:27pm

Re:
Agreed. It is sometimes a lot easier to change something offensive by taking ownership than by merely opposing it. I know a man who invests in corporations that he doesn't like so he can go to the shareholder meetings and vote for change.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 4:04pm

Why the animus towards Monsanto? Is railing against a company that seems to be successful in coming up with new products that increase crop yields the new "internet sport"?
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Mike Masnick (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 4:16pm

Re:
Why the animus towards Monsanto? Is railing against a company that seems to be successful in coming up with new products that increase crop yields the new "internet sport"?

It's got nothing to do with coming up with successful new products. We're all for that and support it whenever possible.

What we have a *SERIOUS* problem with is the way Monsanto grossly abused patent laws to effectively lock farmers into using its higher cost seeds, blocked them from (as they've done since farming began) collecting their own seeds and replanting them, and even going after farmers who had Monsanto seeds blow onto their property.

I have nothing against successful products. I have tremendous problems with a company abusing patents in such a manner.

You don't?
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 4:43pm

Who's this "We" you refer to?
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Dohn Joe, 30 Aug 2010 @ 4:54pm

Ha! Don't make me laugh!
...almost warms your heart...that never ending generosity. After all, Bill isn't into hoarding money at anyone else's expense, right? He wouldn't do anything like sucker the ever-so-naive Canadian Government into doling out $111,000,000 to his own investment, would he?

Oh...wait...what was the Canadian Government's policy on "Intellectual Property" developed with taxpayer dollars? Here's a refresher:
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rma/dpr/00-01/IC00dpr/IC0001dpr07_e.asp
(See the third section titled: Accelerated commercialization and adoption of innovative processes and products by Canadian organizations)

Because, you know, Bill Gates would never be a greedy monopolist out to use "IP Laws" to hijack everyone's wealth, right? Foundation my a$$! He's just dumped software because he's smelled where the REAL money's at!!

Then there's the malthusian agenda (see the youtube video). Why is it that the world's largest parasites can't free up the most resources by "depopulating" themselves first?

http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=80127c99-1329-42d4-97a7-3664d1f45da1&spons or=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_policy_of_the_Harper_government#AIDS

http://www.youtu be.com/watch?v=-0gvDkVcFkI

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/02/19/hiv-vaccine-research-bid-win nipeg.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-holt-gimenez/monsanto-in-gates-clothin_b_696182.h tml
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 4:55pm

I would assume "we" means anyone with half a brain that doesn't profit by their tactics.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 6:19pm

Re:
I can't tell if you're serious, or just a spin doctor at work.

There's absolutely nothing "new" about Monsanto being criticized. I mean, several decades worth of criticisms over business practices, controversies over government bribery, and charges of pollution and false advertising certainly aren't anything to scoff at.

Oh, but they made a product that "increases crop yields", so they must be good.

...Man, that's such a spin phrase...doesn't even say that food production has increased or is cheaper. It's like, "don't hate on us, we did something cool".
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 7:41pm

Re:
Because MOnsanto has wrought much destruction over the years/poisoned much land and many peoples.

Research it and you'll see that MOnsanto is evil.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 7:45pm

How many of you negative commenters would do the same as Mon or any other product inventor. You develop something, you patent it, you make $ off of it. You all would do the same! Face reality! Last I heard it called was entrepreneurship!
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Andrew F (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 8:09pm

Buy them out?
If Bill Gates invested in (bought out) Monsanto, he'd have more leverage with which to force some changes. Not saying he is, but it's not implausible
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Aug 2010 @ 8:58pm

Killing the poor with genetic crops?
'Then there's the malthusian agenda (see the youtube video). Why is it that the world's largest parasites can't free up the most resources by "depopulating" themselves first?'

Your saying Gates was planning on killing or stopping repoduction using vaccines and now what? He has given up on that because he thinks it can be done with genetic crops from monsanto?

Right...let's get the tinfoil hats out everyone! Ever thought that he's trying to solve the world's problems? He has enough money so thats what he does now!

Before Microsoft there was no computers and look what he did! Now there's a computer on every desk like he planned and our lives are way better than they were in the 80's!

You people who post this crap are just a bunch of technology haters/fearers!
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DigThatFunk(Scottie V) (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 9:01pm

Re:
There's a difference when it's basic human rights involved(the right to food, which Monsanto tends to get in the way of via blocking patents of cheap, easy to produce food that beneficial organizations intend to distribute to 3rd world nations)
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Nick Coghlan (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 9:57pm

Re: Maybe a change is at hand
Monsanto has 540M shares on issue. Rumour has it that the foundation bought 500 thousand shares. 0.1% shareholders don't get a lot of say in board decisions.
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Mike Masnick (profile), 30 Aug 2010 @ 10:17pm

Re:
Why the animus towards Monsanto? Is railing against a company that seems to be successful in coming up with new products that increase crop yields the new "internet sport"?

More on Monsanto's abuse of patents:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/monsanto200805
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abc gum, 31 Aug 2010 @ 4:55am

Re: Killing the poor with genetic crops?
"Before Microsoft there was no computers"

Is this a new internet meme?
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2010 @ 6:12am

You don't need a tin foil hat to see that Gates and Meansanto are a bunch of eugenics freaks. Do you really think that they are out to help you insted of make a profit. Gates has made speaches about population control using vaccines. It's not a "comspiracy". It's common knowledge.
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MIchael, 31 Aug 2010 @ 7:01am

Monsanto is evil
Under the guise of helping cure the world of hunger, Monsanto is actually on the brink of starving us all... their genetically modified seed grows crops that are (were) resistant to round-up, their pesticide. These modified crops spread their pollen and contaminate nearby crops, causing them to become modified. The thing with the modified plants is this: not only are they resistant to round-up, they REQUIRE it to live. In the last few years the weeds are becoming resistant to round-up as well, causing farmers to apply round-up and several other herbacides in order to maintain their crops. The weeds are too strong for most pesticides, and the Monsanto crops are killing off many native plant life and crops, including having already made extinct several varieties of Mexican corn. If it continues the way it is going, eventually the 80% of the crops that are modified (thats where we sit now) will all self destruct because of the out of control mutations, and we will find ourselves in a global food crisis. Worst part is, they sue anyone who talks about it, and sue the farmers who try to get away from them and not many people even know about it.
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Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 31 Aug 2010 @ 7:20am

Not this crap again
Where's this "we" you refer to?
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Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 31 Aug 2010 @ 7:22am

Re:
[Citation Needed]
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theBlueSage, 31 Aug 2010 @ 8:06am

Re:
ugh. This AC must be a Monsanto rep/voice/lobbyist. Just because you come up with a way to make money and can fend off people who don't like that way you do it doesn't mean that it is okay to do. The whole point of a society is that it has a notion of social conscience. When a company like Monsanto destroys natural seed gene pools (Corn in South America) while suing out of existence farmers who have had GM seeds wind carried onto their property, then they need to be held accountable. If the rules were as simple as you wish them to be, there would be no law, and no social conscience. And therefore no society. There again the mere fact that you are hiding behind the Anonymous Coward way of posting here leads me to believe you are either under the age of consent, or a lackey for Monsanto.
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dave, 31 Aug 2010 @ 8:17am

fuck bill gates
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2010 @ 1:57pm

Re: Re:
I know a man who invests in corporations that he doesn't like so he can go to the shareholder meetings and vote for change.

That reminds me of the story of the preacher caught in bed with the prostitute. He said it was just his way of reaching prostitutes to preach to them on the evils of prostitution.
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2010 @ 2:23pm

Re: Monsanto is evil
In the last few years the weeds are becoming resistant to round-up as well, causing farmers to apply round-up and several other herbacides in order to maintain their crops.

Hmmm, I wonder what would happen if Monsanto's competitors actually created Roundup resistant genetically modified weeds. If those then got loose, it seems that it could pretty much wipe out the market for both Roundup and Monsanto's seeds.

Monsanto could also do the same to its competitors (if it hasn't already), leaving the farmers caught in the crossfire of a never-ending war between new super-weeds and the new super-herbicides needed to control them. Of course, that's an old business model: create the problem and then sell the solution.
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Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 31 Aug 2010 @ 2:49pm

Re: Re: Maybe a change is at hand
Just because he does not control the majority of shares does not mean he can't change the direction the company moves in.

Saying that he couldn't change the company because he only owns a fraction of it is like saying that your favorite or most hated news talk show host can't influence an election because he only has 1 vote on election day.

If Warren Buffet owned a signle share of a company, I'd pay more attention to what he said than a mindless board member who owned 10% of it.

All that being said, I'm reserving judgement on this until I see what happens.
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LakeMcdougall, 5 Sep 2010 @ 11:57pm

fish or cut bait
Bill, did you ask Melinda first? Either buy more shares so you can affect change or sell them all & invest in non-GMO seed companies--before they're all gone. it's really that simple. You're either part of the solution or part of the problem.
Josh, well said. I just wish time were on our side.
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ty, 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:44am

tryy
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ty, 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:44am

tryy
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ty, 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:44am

tryy
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truthseeker, 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:57am

Control
Okay folks the real reason the Gates Foundation invested in Monsanto is so that he can more effeciently carry out his lust for de-population. Vaccines require consent and a jab in the arm. Gates is simply going to circumvent this by putting the vaccine into your food and "voila" everyone will be vaccinated with god knows what. One thing for sure will be in there is a steralant to prevent reproduction. Evil plans from an evil genius.
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josh, 8 Oct 2010 @ 12:04pm

bill gates is doing this so he can put vaccines in the food just like he wants to make gmo mosquitoes to vaccinate millions
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Diane, 6 Dec 2010 @ 4:40pm

Very scary that Bill Gates would associate himself with a company like Monsanto.
I am very disappointed and very concerned.
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Kitty, 22 Jun 2011 @ 11:25pm

Microsoft got where they did by pirating other people's software. It does not suprise me at all that Bill Gates has teamed up with Monsanto.
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Chris, 15 Feb 2012 @ 1:29pm

Gates is a eugenecist who wants to reduce the population of the world by 18% at least. The video of him sayng this is not hard to find. Eugencists advocate forced sterilization, vaccination and genetically modified foods as ways to do away with enough of us so that the survivors will have adequate access to goods and services. They would also like to genetically engineer the bad traits out of humans, producing what some (like that guy with the funny moustache...what was his name again?) would call a master race.
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Daniel M. Parkman, Sr., 28 Feb 2012 @ 9:40am

Bill Gates Monsanto & Blackwater = Xe !
Bill Gates a kind philanthropist are you serious ?

http://2012patriot.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/bill-gates-nwo-culling/
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Daniel M. Parkman, Sr., 28 Feb 2012 @ 9:41am

Bill Gates Monsanto & Blackwater = Xe !
Bill Gates a kind philanthropist are you serious ?

http://2012patriot.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/bill-gates-nwo-culling/
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Federico (profile), 9 Nov 2019 @ 9:10am

What does the Gates foundation do with the patents it collects?
In 2013 the Gates foundation was still making some "curious" investments: https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/12/gates-foundations-24-most-egregious-investments/

Of course they can't avoid having some Coca Cola when their money largely comes from Warren Buffett and shares of Berkshire, whose entire theory of investment is based on "moats".

On https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/GFO/Who-We-Are/Financials/F_814061_18_BillMelindaGatesFounda tion_FS.ashx?la=en&hash=DC497C5BA4080637F79DCD76B89B541541DD108E to describe their investment strategy claim that «The majority of these equity investments [...] include investing in novel vaccine and therapeutic platforms, developing improved diagnostics, and strengthening agriculture and health delivery systems. The Foundation has also made equity investments in support of U.S. education.»
In other words they invest in the sectors of some of the worst profiteers, pharma, agri-business and private education?

From the most recent financial statements of the Trust https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/GFO/Who-We-Are/Financials/F_814054_18_BillMelindaGatesFounda tionTrust_FS.ashx?la=en&hash=4B5B53FAF5C8452C333863FFAB94F696816ED99A they have some 12 G$ in Berkshire, plus 7 G$ in "industrials" and 5 G$ in "consumer goods" which might be anything. The MSCI World Industrials index has a market cap of less than 5 T$ https://www.msci.com/documents/10199/54b1293a-00fc-4bb9-8308-d03484f0c3db so Gates foundation may own some 0.1 % on average. Nobody seems to own as much of Bayer: https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/pinx/bayry/ownership

Yet, the Gates foundation appeares to promote so called "intellectual property" by encouraging inventors to use it "properly":
http://globalaccess.gatesfoundation.org/

They ask to receive a non-exclusive license, sublicenseable, and they don't exclude getting royalties for them. The apparent objective is to be able to grant "humanitarian licenses":
https://docs.gatesfoundation.org/Documents/Humanitarian-License-Nonbinding-FAQ.pdf

T hat can make sense: it's better if more entities have licenses and use them, unlike the NIH which funds inventions and then lets companies rip off the heathcare system: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20101207/18030712173/nih-wont-let-others-supply-life-saving-drug-e ven-though-genzyme-cant-make-enough.shtml

Yet, Bill Gates appears to oppose the healthcare plan https://elizabethwarren.com/plans/paying-for-m4a which includes provisions for statutory licensing/compulsory licenses (the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6505/text is mentioned)

So, after the Monsanto debacle a few questions remain.
1) Is the Gates foundation still investing in/profiting from companies which profit from making people more ill?
2) Is there any evidence of the Gates foundation using one of its (licenses to) patents to expand affordable access somewhere?
3) Did the Gates foundation oppose or support EFF's initiative "Reclaim Invention" and Public Interest Patent Pledge/PIPP https://www.eff.org/reclaim-invention/pledge ?
4) Did the Gates foundation oppose or support efforts such as the compulsory licensing scheme in India, which faced oppositions and blackmailing from multinationals for decades and finally issued its first compulsory license in 2012 for a Bayer drug (Sorafenib)? https://www.ip-watch.org/2012/03/12/india-grants-first-compulsory-licence-for-bayer-cancer-drug/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_license#India
5) Did the Gates foundation ever support or oppose efforts to instate similar compulsory licensing schemes in the USA?
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