sources 2 and 3

SOURCE 2: SIRS RESEARCHER

Are genetically modified foods safe and nutritious?

Yes. Genetically modified foods offer the same health benefits as conventional foods.

No. The long term health effects and health risks of genetically modified foods are not yet known.

Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms that have been genetically engineered. In the early 1990s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that GM foods were not "inherently dangerous" and did not require special regulation. This paved the way for GM foods such as soybean oils and tomatoes to enter the market. However, in 2000, a type of transgenic corn-Starlink--that was not fit for human consumption mistakenly entered the food supply. It was eventually pulled from the market, but the incident led to growing concerns over the safety of GM foods. Opponents of GM foods argue the long-term health risks and health effects associated with these foods are not yet known. Proponents of GM foods contend they are just as safe as conventional foods.

ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Genetically Modified Foods." ProQuest LLC. SIRS Researcher. Web. 03 May 2011.

Notes:

This is another site where I can get general information that is both FOR and AGAINST, which is refreshing.

SOURCE 3: CROCODYL COMPANY PROFILE (parts of)

Company Snapshot: 

Monsanto is the biggest seller of genetically modified (GM) crop seeds in the world, holding at least 70% market share for most major GE crop seeds. Since acquiring Seminis Inc. in March 2005, Monsanto has also been the largest conventional seed company in the world. Most of the GM-seeds the company sells are designed to be co-sold with RoundUp (glyphosate), the world’s biggest selling herbicide. 

GM Crops
The long term effects of Monsanto’s GM crops on the environment are as yet unknown. In areas where RoundUp Ready crops are being grown commercially, herbicide tolerance is being spread to neighbouring crops and wild plants by cross pollination. Rather than reducing the amount of chemicals used in farming RoundUp Ready crops are locking farmers into a chemical dependant farming system. Several scientific studies have suggested that the Bt technology utilised by Monsanto in their Bollgard, YieldGard and NewLeaf insect resistant crops may kill ‘non-pest’ insects such as the Monarch butterfly.


Patents
Monsanto has filed numerous patent infringement lawsuits in the U.S. and Canada against farmers who harvested crops containing Monsanto's patented genes without paying for the seed, which were often sown by winds carrying the seeds from nearby fields. One of the most significant cases was decided in Monsanto's favor against canola farmer Percy Schmeiser, by the Canadian Supreme Court (5-4 vote, May 2004).

Major brands: 

The company lists its major brands on its web site, including Asgrow (soybean seeds). Bollgard (cotton), Dekalb (corn), Deltapine (cotton), Roundup (herbicide), Seminis (vegetable and fruit seeds), Vistive (soybeans), and American Seeds Inc. (ASI)

Notes:

I didn't want to make my paper all about Monsanto, cause it's supposed to be just about GMO soybeans, but since Monsanto owns nearly all GMO soybeans, they are a significant aspect of my paper-to-be. Hopefully I avoid making it seem like I'm straying from my original subject.

"Monsanto | Crocodyl." Latest Corporate Research | Crocodyl. Web. 03 May 2011. <http://www.crocodyl.org/wiki/monsanto>.