Thought some might be interested in the newest "seed police". I included the responses to the article because the reader posts are interesting. To me, this is just another reason to purchase heirloom seeds if at all possible.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/630799/posts

-- Mary in East TN (barnwood@preferred.com), February 19, 2002

Answers

Thanks for the heads up Mary. I cannot even begin to discuss (rationally) what I think of this company and its products. Poor Chuck would really have some house cleaning to do if I did!

May I assume I am talking with another Freeper?!? Thanks again..

-- Sher in se Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 19, 2002.

Most all seeds are patented these days, which carry much the same restrictions. Altho Monsanot's producted are also licenced.

Monsanto has employed the same licencing approach that Microsoft has done with it's software. These licences are designed to give the company all the benefits, while the buyer has agreed to assume all the risks with no recourse and even agreed to be guilty of many things.

Any time you buy commercial seed or commercial software these days, you are agreeing to such.

Some of the problem is that our liability laws in the USA are so anti-business that businesses have had to come up with ways to protect themselves. In a way they were pushed into this situation. I am surprised that people actually do sign these agreements tho. We consumers hold all the power - we vote with out checkbooks, and the licencing agreements are winning. It's not up to the 'evil' company, or up to the 'big government' - it's up to you & me.

Hey, a relative has a Saturn car, was going to go on a trip this Monday. Saturday the car would not move, not do anything. Was a (2 year old) dead battery. You can't replace the battery. It messes up the whole computer systems. The car needs to be towed 100 miles to the nearest dealer, hooked up to a Saturn station, and the battery replaced then & only then.

This type of thing is taking over everywhere. We consumers will eventually rebel, but it seems to be taking a lot longer than I thought! No wonder the ecconomy is in trouble.

I assume homesteader-types are more aware of all this than other segments of society?

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

Paul, if what you say is true, you have just convinced me to think twice about a Saturn. I had heard a lot of good things about it but will now have to rethink this. It also makes me wonder, how many other new automobiles have this same characteristic? Anyone have further information about this trend?

-- David (mncscott@ak.net), February 19, 2002.

I have no problem with patenting or licensing seeds. That is NOT what we are talking about here. That it were that simple. This stuff migrates and contaminates other peoples crops. THAT IS A BIG DEAL!!! IMHO it is criminal and these people are getting away with it. Like Enron...........the little guy eats worms and dies.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002.

I agree, Diane. Since the big companies are only licencing the seed, it would seem clear to me that if they control interest in them, they also are responsible for controling propigation, or the damages from same.

Somehow in the courts it doesn't work that way, I'm not understanding that part...

Star-Link corn comes to mind.

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

Read the book "Against the Grain" for good background to the whole issue.

Some rational plant biologist needs to educate folks on wind pollenation. You could grow your heirloom open pollenated corn in your field and your neighbor could grow round up ready. Your seed if you saved some for next year would have some low proportion of patented genes in them...imagine that they also carried the self destruct genes too. Unless they engineer a selective pollen...which is possible, their patented gene will be spread to hell and gone and they will be able to take on every seed saver. What a corporate riot that will be. I magine the product liability insurance seed producers will need to carry...

Oscar

-- Oscar H. will III (owill@mail.whittier.edu), February 19, 2002.

It is estimated that within 5 YEARS...yep 5 Years...we will not be able to get organic foods at all...

Between the wind and pollinating insects...everything we eat will become GMO....this will destroy the Organic Business.

Only chance for organic will be in a contained environment...air filters, etc.

Suggest everyone gets educated real soon on this issue...you may want to revisit your concepts on health insurance...especially for your children who will be the first hit.

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), February 20, 2002.

This is a BIG deal, GE or GM foods are everywhere. Make it known in their pocket books and spread the word. Other countries are not so accepting of this new so-called technology. Look how the soybean industry is pushing soy products now. Most all soybeans are roundup ready...scary...

-- Suzanne (weir@frontiernet.net), February 20, 2002.