Patenting Life

The full article is here:

http://www.actionbioscience.org/genomic/crg.html

I would also recommend the following book for further information:


Gene Traders: Biotechnology, World Trade, and the Globalization of Hunger

It is new and comprehensive collection of research and essays on biotechnology. Edited by safe food pioneer Brian Tokar, Gene Traders features analysis of biotechnology and its' effects on food safety, poverty, starvation, and globalization.
Genetically engineered agriculture is spreading around the world due to global trade agreements and the aggressive tactics of international financial institutions, governments, and agribusiness corporations. In this broad and comprehensive survey, seven authors show how the interplay of trade policy, development politics and biotechnology increases dependency and hunger, while compromising the survival of traditional farmers and their communities.
Available at amazon for around $ 4.00 used, via their independent seller links.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NoToGMOs
• Biotechnology
• Genetic
• Engineering
• Ethical
• Considerations
• Science
• Globalization
• of
• Hunger
• Patenting
• Life
• Environment
• Food
• Crops
• DNA
• Bio
• Ethics
• GM
• Seeds
• Sustainability
• GMOs

[DynaCatlovesme]

I'm on the fence, sort of. Any gene or gene combination found "in the wild" should not be patentable under any circumstances, identification and or discovery should not confer rights of ownership. Genes built "from scratch" however, might fairly be considered in a different light.

[55ella2007k]

DynaCatlovesme: I understand your argument. But there is no such thing as genes built-from scratch. So actually, what we are talking is about is gene-splicing, or re-combinant DNA techniques, not something occurring via natural selection, i.e. a slow evolutionary process over time, but experimentation outside this realm. Rest assured, I believe in science + technology, but once financial profit comes into play via the funding process, it tends to get murky, to say the least.

[cv1122]

'slippery slope' indeed ... i think its a road that should not have been traveled. thanks for the information Ella. Patenting life forms imho is just plain wrong. Please wont you consider posting this in response to the GMO collab? The story is indeed larger ...and the tricky part is peeling back the layers.

[55ella2007k]

@cv1122 : indeed. I did post it in response to collab vid :)

[laurieannek]

How scary the evil scientists are creating and using life forms for profit. We can't trust eating our food...and they are destroying the dollar.

Will the illuminated evil elite stop at nothing to enslave and control mankind...

[55ella2007k]

lauriennek: thanks for your comment. Science in and by itself, is not evil - it is simply asking questions. The evil comes in, when scientific research is used for other purposes, namely to advance POWER - which by definition, excludes genuine inquiry. If you believe in God - or a higher being of some sort, then surely you must begin to question, why this power, if it exists, gave us brains to think with. Something to contemplate....

[billybobhobnob101]

One thing I don't understand is if you are a farmer and some GMO corn cross breeds with your corn the corporation can sue you- I would think it should be the other way around. GMO crops should have to have proper containment and the companies involved should have to pay for the clean up of any GMO contamination and any damages.

[valhala56]

The Law of unintended consequences. I don't find genetic manipulation nessacarily bad, but apparently Scientific Progress in this area has gone very wrong. When I saw in the movie "Food Inc." How farmers were being put out of business by giant agra Corporations for not using their GMO seeds. Well it was obvious that fascism has reached the grocery isles.

It looks like a lot more bad then good is going to come from GMO agriculture & possibly medicine. It's like getting out of hand you know.

[jefferyconnors]

THAT'S IT, I'M GETTING A PATTON ON ME.

[ScreamingTc]

I can understand to a degree why companies would patent genetically modified organic material - it's an expensive research process. The problem comes with what shall forever be known as the Monsanto process, where by the patented genetics somehow gets into the natural food chain, or crosses with those who wish nothing to do with it.

Is it right that those people should now be hounded through the courts? No, they did not actively seek out genetically modified crops. The law needs changing.

[FoodOrFail]

@billybobhobnob101 - EXACTLY

[FoodOrFail]

@Larkinchance - Yep, this is exactly what is happening. What NEEDS to happen is that Farmer B counter sues Monsanto & Farmer A for polluting/contaminating Farmer B's land. Such counter suits are now starting, but they need to become the norm. Monsanto has twisted the legal forum to suit its needs up until now. It's time for small farmers to use the same system to demand clean-up of Monsanto's toxic mess PLUS actual damages to their livelihood. Sue them right out of existence.

[Michael7893]

Monsantos is evil. What they are attempting to do is literally cutting at the heartland of the US the bread basket. They further have tainted hundreds of acres with their franken veggies because once released into the environment they cross pollinate with non franken veggies. This is utter bs and unacceptable. Further Monsantos has basically patented genes that have been in existence for thousands if not millions of years.

[FlopSideOfLife2009]

How does one patient outr origins?

Fuck them!

Ownership of what I was born with....

It's ours!

[laurieannek]

I believe in Science and research. I never meant to imply Science was evil.

But I am talking about the evil people trying to control the food supplies with GMO'S and control life forms for profit and gain. Nothing good can come of this combo...

I agree with you, but my comment came across harsh, but we are saying the same thing. I like your channel you say things very well.

God Bless