The Scientist And The Spy

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This riveting true story of industrial espionage follows a Chinese-born scientist convicted of attempting to steal U.S. trade secrets. In September 2011, Iowa sheriff's deputies discovered three well-dressed Asian men in a cornfield leased by Monsanto for patented hybrids. What began as a routine inquiry escalated into a federal case, with one man, Mo Hailong (Robert Mo), pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal trade secrets from U.S. agro-giants DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto for the China-based DBN Group, a major seed company. This case is part of broader U.S. efforts to combat the rising tide of industrial espionage, often supported by the Chinese government, which costs American companies billions annually. As former Attorney General Eric Holder noted, companies fall into two categories: those aware of their compromise and those unaware. Journalist Mara Hvistendahl uses Mo's story to explore the unsettling phenomenon of industrial espionage as China pursues technological dominance. The narrative highlights U.S. attempts to protect proprietary innovation and the growing concerns among government agencies and companies about threats to Western competitiveness. The book also questions whether current counter-espionage strategies serve the public good, resulting in a compelling nonfiction thriller that advocates for rethinking intellectual property protection.