19
president and director of corporate research, said at the time, “It was felt that increased
emphasis on chemical, microbiological and biological evaluation of products and
potential products entering the food and agricultural markets created an unfilled need in
many industries for laboratory services.”
66
In the pharmaceutical sector, Hoffman-La
Roche Inc., spent $14 million to set up the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, which
was designed to conduct “basic research in fundamental life processes.”
67
However, Dr.
Sidney Ndenfriend, the institute’s director, said the center, staffed with 200 scientists,
was designed for a wide range of studies in “living cells” and not necessarily for specific
medicines.
68
Nevertheless, many scientists found an inherent conflict of interest in the
Institute’s mission considering all the research was driven by corporate incentives.
69
Regardless of these seeming conflicts of interest, the new field was growing
rapidly with many scientists jumping on board. Philip Handler, the President of the
National Academy of Sciences, pointed out that while some science specialties were not
receiving funding on par with previous years, “biochemistry and molecular biology were
thriving.”
70
During these early years, interest and investment by industry, was steadily
rising, too. After restructuring its organization in 1971, Monsanto replaced its Chief
Executive Officer with the John W. Hanley, Proctor & Gamble’s executive vice
president.
71
That same year, Monsanto announced it was “enter[ing] the field of plant
growth regulators” for sugarcane and other agricultural goods.
72
66
Ibid.
67
Wall Street Journal, “New Hoffman-La Roche Institute,” (September 27, 1971).
68
New York Times, “Research Center in Jersey Dedicated by Drug Concerns,” (September 26, 1971).
69
Robert J. Bazell, “Molecular Biology: Corporate Citizenship and Potential Profit,” Science, vol. 174, no.
4006 (October 15, 1971):275-276.
70
Daniel S. Greenberg, “Basic Science + Money Troubles. . .” The Washington Post (November 21, 1971).
71
Gerd Wilcke, “The Outsider At Monsanto,” New York Times (November 19, 1972).
72
Wall Street Journal, “Monsanto to Enter Field of Plant Growth Regulators,” Wall Street Journal (August
22, 1972).
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