Patented Seeds

By Barbara Fix, Researcher & Writer for Lipscomb Enterprises Inc.

Every once in a while, an enlightening story is leaked about Monsanto’s patented seeds. It’s difficult not to point the finger at this huge conglomeration for two glaring reason: a top official has gone on record by stating that Monsanto’s goal is to control the food chain (sadly they’re right on target), and according to a non-profit group, ETC, Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration, by 2007 Monsanto GMO seed accounts for 87% of the total world area that grows with GMO (genetically modified organism) seed.

Before moving to how Monsanto protects its patented seed and taking a a stab at why, it is worth mentioning that Monsanto’s earlier efforts produced the herbicide DDT, Agent Orange, aspartame, bovine growth hormone, and PCB’s. Back in 1954, they partnered up with Bayer to form the Mobay Corporation that produced polyurethanes in the United States.

Now that we have a broader background and understanding of Monsanto product discrimination, it’s time to discuss what their GMO seed patient entails.

To control the food chain one must control the use and distribution of seed. Here’s how it’s done. When a farmer purchases GMO seed, he must agree not to save seed from his crop—by law–and is forced to purchase the seed each year. Yet, using India as an example, it reveals a world of trouble for the countries who use it and its people. Monsanto Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis, a toxin-producing bacterium found naturally in soils.) cotton seed is three times more expensive than other cotton seed. The problem lies with the fact that the much higher price of Monsanto’s cotton seed does not yield a larger crop as promised. Within the space of one growing season, the higher expense that does not provide a correspondingly higher yield can devastate the food supply of an entire third-world country.  Just ask Africa about the ramifications when their maize crop failed miserably, affecting millions in that belabored country.

As already discussed in Why GMO Seed Should be Destroyed, part 1 and 2, many struggling farmers have found themselves in court when prevailing winds from a nearby grower planting GMO seed deposited these seeds in their fields and Monsanto sued them for unlawful use of their patented seed. Tied up in court for an inordinately long duration and forced to hire legal representation to fight a battery of Monsanto’s attorneys, most farmers have been forced to give up, even through they were the ones who were wronged. This can be a death keel for a small farmer, and unfortunately leaves Monsanto the victor which sets a precedence that is chilling in its potential for future abuse.