[Carry_Okie]

I recall reading that Monsanto and Dupont and others now have the entire third world "dependant" on growing Genetically Modified (GM) rice that DOES NOT produce viable seed stock. [snip] If this is true, then in my opinion, it borders on criminal.

It's not criminal, it's a precaution. If you don't want the gene to be transmissible to the wild, then you must design the genome to be non-reproducing. Every one of those farmers has the option of growing something else. Yet apparently they consider the benefits of GM varieties to be worth the expense of purchasing seed.

The problem is of course what to do if the supplier fails, which constitutes a risk that ends up being socialized. Were this a properly functioning system, there would be farmers paid to grow heirloom seed merely as a precaution.

[pyx]

Every one of those farmers has the option of growing something else.

IMO, the options you mention sometimes just don't work. For example, a potential scenario;

I grow a crop of Heirloom vegetables across the road from your GM vegetables. Eventually, my Heirloom vegetables are cross pollinated by your GM vegetables. And eventually the seed from my Heirloom vegetables becomes impotent like your GM vegetables. I don't have options other than acquire higher costs to feed my family.

Likewise with rice and soybeans grown in India and China.