Seedless Harvest - GM - Genetically Modified
Currently, an estimated three-quarters of the world's farmers routinely save seed from their harvest to re-plant the following season.
But in the not so distant future, saving seeds will be impossible, if the large bio engineering and bio ag firms have their way...
Syngenta has developed 'Traitor' technology, which requires special chemicals to switch on and off essential traits such as disease resistance, fertility, flowering, sprouting and ageing.
European Patent 412 006 Terminator - This technology makes it impossible to save seeds, as the reproducing genes are 'shut off' by a chemical process.
Currently banned in Europe, but the patent has been granted to Belgium's Plant Genetic Systems (partly owned by Aventis and Hoechst) in case the European ban is lifted.
'Traitor' and 'Terminator' threaten to make millions of farmers in the South dependent on seed and chemicals from this giant multinational (which will hold 42% of the world's 'Traitor' and 'Terminator' patents).
Meanwhile, Delta & Pine Land, the Mississippi-based cotton seed company, the ninth largest seed business in the world, is the only company to publicly announce its intention to commercialize Syngenta-developed GM Terminator seeds.
Once again, Terminator and Traitor are technologies that genetically modify plants to produce sterile seeds, forcing farmers to return to the commercial seed market every year.
Financial Advice for D&PL: "USDA's recent announcement on the licensing of Terminator technology is perceived internationally as a 'declaration of war' against Third World farmers," explains Julie Delahanty of RAFI.
But in the not so distant future, saving seeds will be impossible, if the large bio engineering and bio ag firms have their way...
Syngenta has developed 'Traitor' technology, which requires special chemicals to switch on and off essential traits such as disease resistance, fertility, flowering, sprouting and ageing.
European Patent 412 006 Terminator - This technology makes it impossible to save seeds, as the reproducing genes are 'shut off' by a chemical process.
Currently banned in Europe, but the patent has been granted to Belgium's Plant Genetic Systems (partly owned by Aventis and Hoechst) in case the European ban is lifted.
'Traitor' and 'Terminator' threaten to make millions of farmers in the South dependent on seed and chemicals from this giant multinational (which will hold 42% of the world's 'Traitor' and 'Terminator' patents).
Meanwhile, Delta & Pine Land, the Mississippi-based cotton seed company, the ninth largest seed business in the world, is the only company to publicly announce its intention to commercialize Syngenta-developed GM Terminator seeds.
Once again, Terminator and Traitor are technologies that genetically modify plants to produce sterile seeds, forcing farmers to return to the commercial seed market every year.
Financial Advice for D&PL: "USDA's recent announcement on the licensing of Terminator technology is perceived internationally as a 'declaration of war' against Third World farmers," explains Julie Delahanty of RAFI.
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