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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Monsanto Boycott

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  • From: Bill Shoemaker <wshoemak AT illinois.edu>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Monsanto Boycott
  • Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2009 07:00:11 -0500 (CDT)



>> So, if Monsanto bought Seminis what would be wrong with buying
>> Marketmore
>> 76 cucumber (and others) seeds from usual sources. I have no grudge
>> with
>> Monsanto,
>
>I think it is dangerous to have a very large proportion of the seed
>production of the planet in the hands of any one company; and therefore
>wise to act in such a fashion as to encourage decentralization.

I also have misgivings with contributing to Monsanto's success. They are
currently divesting themselves of their original industrial focus,
agrichemicals, to concentrate on what they believe is their most promising
future; plant genetics. Through their development of GMO products they have
made more money than through their other pursuits. What bothers me is their
effort to patent genes, some of which appear to have originated in the public
domain. I do not understand how the courts could give this kind of initiative
any credence. It is a Pandora's box legally. Once they lay legal claim to
public domain genetics, they are in a position to make broad claims of
ownership on other public domain genetics. While I understand that there is
significant debate on what claims the private sector can make on genes and
genetic material, I find the aggressive approach Monsanto is taking
disturbing. I do not see an end game except one where Monsanto has control
over as much genetic materi!
al!
as possible with no respect to individual rights or the public welfare. It
makes it very difficult for me to invest in their success.

Bill
William H Shoemaker, UI-NRES
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
St Charles Horticulture Research Center
535 Randall Road St Charles, IL 60174
630-584-7254; FAX-584-4610




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