Should we ban "terminator" seeds that crop only once?

Question

Agrobiz has developed and is developing seeds that crop only once. International patents, treaties and agreements are being pushed through to outlaw seed saving by farmers.

This could potentially mean that a few companies could hold the world to ransom to maximise profits.

This seems to be morally wrong, but the genie sems to have been let out of the bottle.

http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/GEFood/Terminator.asp
http://www.etcgroup.org/article.asp?newsid=389
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Transnational_corps/TerminatorSeeds_Monsanto.html

Answer 1

That's exactly what Monsanto & others want.
They want profits & as the genetically modified seed will no longer provide the Farmer with a good seed ready 2 sow next year.
They will B theoretically holding the World 2 ransom.
Perhaps it's going 2 B the Corporate replacement 4 when the Oil runs out.
& it will B Third World Countries that may suffer the most.

Answer 2

If a company goes to great expense to develop a new variety (wheat/potatoes,etc.) surely it has a right to a "patent" on it. If the new variety produces a crop that shows enough extra profit to more than pay for the extra cost of the seed, both seed producer and farmer will be happy, if not the seed producer will go bust. No one has to grow new, improved,more profitable varieties, but if you do then don't begrudge the the developer his profit.
PS. To nutsters babe. What is wrong with "profit"? No profit = No trade. The first countries to suffer from this would be the 3rd world counties...come and live in the real world, it may not be perfect, but it's better than some dream of a world where nobody makes a profit.

Answer 3

definite, I planted one large massive seed nearing 20 years in the past. It constructive did bear fruit yet various the fruit became into rotten, some rather good nevertheless. each and every week i attempt to plant some extra seeds and that i visit by no ability supply up. you spot at 50 I by no ability married or had childrens and that is too overdue now. So, the seeds will would desire to do as a replace, metaphorically speaking.

Answer 4

IT is totally and utterly wrong. But that's only the latest abomination. A simple change of law would be enough to remedy the situation. Will people vote for candidates who'd promote that? Would they even have a chance to get nominated in your country(assuming you're a US-citizen)? Luckily there seems to be some common sense left in Europe.

Answer 5

That could be a problem for new farmers, not old farmers. Then again, it might not, if the old sell to the new. Power is only given if you let it be given, there is usually a way around it if you look hard enough.

Answer 6

Nobody is forcing the farmers to buy the genetically engineered seeds. The farmers are in no way restrained from using unmodified seeds.

Answer 7

It is wrong but big companies often exploit poor people