The Roundup Ready era of biotechnology has reshaped agriculture's purchase of soybean seed and use of herbicides on row crops. It was based on glyphosate, the revolutionary agricultural chemistry of the 20th century, which gained post-patent life as genetic modification began. Adoption of the GMO technology was unmatched in agricultural history. There were glitches, however, and introduction of Roundup Ready soybeans in South America was a major overreach for Monsanto. But in the spirit of "business is business," the American company has plunged back into the market with lessons learned and allies assembled.