[LearsFool]

But the overall flavor of the report was that Monsanto was bad and farmers and other companies were miffed at their dominant position.

One complaint is the heavy-handed patent enforcement by Monsanto and others (viz. cross-pollination, etc.)

Another is the fact that much GMO seed is genetically engineered to be sterile (so-called "terminator seed") - meaning the harvested seed cannot be planted for next year's crop, as mankind has done since time began. Instead, the farmer has to purchase planting seed again and again. Essentially, this creates a subscription service for Monsanto, et al. (Not exactly a solution to third-world famine, is it?)

[ClearCase_guy]

Thanks for the info.

If the sterile seed were a problem, I would think people would buy their seed elsewhere (or use harvested seed from last year). The fact that many farmers make the choice to use Monsanto's seeds makes me think that the farmers think it's the best thing to buy. It may have drawbacks, but it apparently beats the alternatives.

[algernonpj]

the harvested seed cannot be planted for next year's crop, as mankind has done since time began. Instead, the farmer has to purchase planting seed again and again

Sounds like great potential for a multi-national corporation to control the food supply.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Worse, it means our food supply is no longer sustainable without a technological infrastructure.

If there was a world-wide catastrophe, we’d be starving in a year because we wouldn’t have enough crops that would generate plantable seeds.