Dow is committed to operating in a legal and ethically responsible manner. The Ethics and Compliance program at Dow provides a framework that supports Dow`s Values, which provide the operational foundation for how we conduct our business around the world. Further detail on our policies and practices can be found at our Ethics web site.
Dow`s long-standing and sound corporate governance practices are based on high standards of personal and company integrity, in order to earn the trust of our investors and our stakeholders. More information about Dow`s Board of Directors and corporate governance framework may be found on our web site Corporate Governance at Dow.
The Dow EthicsLine is a toll-free help line answered by communication specialists from an independent company that are trained to handle your call, anonymously if you prefer. The help line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to those who wish to ask questions about Dow policy, seek guidance on specific situations, report violations of Dow`s Code of Business Conduct, or other unethical business practices. For callers in North America, the telephone number is 1-800-803-6862. Callers outside North America must first dial a country specific AT&T Access Number (access numbers are found at AT&T World Traveler Web Site before dialing 800-803-6862. Alternatively, you can call the Office of Global Ethics and Compliance directly at +1-989-636-2544. Emails may be directed to Ethics@Dow.com.
Valuable Dialogue in the Use of Biotechnology
Dow, Dow AgroSciences and shareholders representatives of The Adrian Dominican Sisters, School Sisters of Notre Dame Cooperative Investment Fund, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, have been in dialogue regarding plant biotechnology for the past five years, particularly the social, environmental and health aspects of the technology`s application. During the course of the dialogue these shareholders have contributed to the development of the Company`s Guiding Principles for Biotechnology and provide a valuable perspective.
More recently the dialogue has focused on the use of biotechnology to produce pharmaceutical proteins in plants and to confer insect resistance traits to corn. Of particular concern to these shareholders is the use of food crops to produce pharmaceutical proteins and the proteins of biodiversity of plants in their centers of origin, in the case of corn: Mexico.
Dow and Dow AgroSciences have and continue to give serious consideration and deliberation to the development and introduction of biotechnology derived products. At this time the company does not intend to use corn as an open field crop to produce pharmaceutical proteins. For a complete statement, see Advancing Medicine through Plant-Based Technology on the Dow Plant Biopharmaceuticals web site.
Viable Centers of Origin are critical to provide for agricultural diversity. As Mexico holds the greatest genetic biodiversity of corn, the potential impacts of corn derived from biotechnology is the subject of vigorous debate. The company recognizes the need to understand the possible cultural, economic, health and environmental implications of trait-bearing corn products in Mexico and is committed to utilize its environmental, health and safety business risk review processes and Guiding Principles for Biotechnology in its assessment of this potential use. The company supports a transparent process for environmental research, the development of regulations, and regulatory capacity for agricultural biotechnology in Mexico and will continue to seek the constructive input of stakeholders on these and other topics.
