St. Louis, Missouri
June 25,  2001

Monsanto Company, in line with the New Monsanto Pledge, today announced it will share important genetic information to accelerate the development of a soybean with improved oils and more protein. This development will help develop healthier soy products for consumers world-wide while improving the economic value for U.S. soybean farmers.

Monsanto will provide a series of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)- end sequences for the soybean genome to the United Soybean Board. In turn, the Board has agreed to provide the genetic sequence data to non-profit Better Bean Initiative participants who are funded through public resources.

"We believe strongly in the United Soybean Board's Better Bean Initiative and their commitment to help U.S. producers maintain their competitive advantage," said Carl Casale, vice president and general manager for Monsanto's North American agriculture business.

Scientists use BAC-end sequences to identify the location of specific genetic markers on chromosomes within a genome. By identifying genetic markers on the desired trait, plant breeders can breed plants more efficiently and more accurately. 

"This donation is one of the essential tools we will need to unlock the most beneficial traits within the soybean genome," said Don Latham, chairman of the Better Bean Initiative advisory panel and immediate past chairman of the United Soybean Board. "It will not only quickly accelerate our goal to develop the highest quality soybean for U.S. soy producers, but reduce the amount of time and money it will take to achieve this goal."

Monsanto Company has participated in the Better Bean Initiative since January 2000. Last month, the company donated a Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) genetic marker which identifies the low palmitic fatty acid trait within the soybean genome. It is expected to accelerate the Better Bean Initiative's goal of developing a high-yielding soybean that is lower in saturated fat.

Today's technology sharing announcement is the latest action to implement the New Monsanto Pledge, announced in November 2000. The New Monsanto Pledge is a series of commitments that describe the company's policies for products developed through biotechnology, including a commitment to share knowledge and technology with public institutions to benefit health and
the environment.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: www.monsanto.com. For more information on the United Soybean Board and the soybean checkoff, visit www.unitedsoybean.org .

Company news release
N3623