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NE Colorado | Patents expire 20 years after they were applied for. Then the public can use the patent free of charge.
But with EPA and FDA regulatory registration of patented GMO genes, there is no assurance the public can use those genes freely when the patents covering them expire.
Some of these things have been worked out with drugs and chemicals, as they also have to be registered with the FDA or the EPA . Congress has passed legislation to help generic drug or chemical companies start producing off patent drugs and chemicals. The process is not as smooth as it should be, especially with chemicals. That's why we oftentimes don't see price decreases until years after their patents expire.
We may need legislation to allow farmers and small seed companies to use free of royalties off patent genes, even if they are registered with the EPA or FDA. And we also need legislation to ensure those agencies or the original registrant cannot pull a registration simply for monopoly protection. First, they should have to show there is a clear danger to either human health or to the environment. And that shouldn't happen, because GMOs have been deemed safe.
As for Monsanto's mindset, it isn't too hard to figure out: they are arrogant and greedy and want to monopolize as much as they can for as long as they can.
Edited by haymaker 9/30/2008 22:34
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Something to ponder: Seed genetics
