The U.S. Department of Agriculture,
in association with private companies, has applied
for a patent on a technology that allows production
of seeds that are sterile in their second
generation. Is this ethical? Last week we asked
our listeners about their opinions on the issue.
Here are what a few of you had to say.
Brian J. Albrecht
I believe that this idea of second generation
sterility is a dangerous and fundamentally wrong
idea. First, it goes against the seed's role in
nature: extending the life of the species.
Secondly, I believe that when a company sells a
product to a customer, they are partially selling
the right to the inherent technology of that
product. Most likely, the reason the person is
interested in purchasing the product is due to that
very technology...
In addition, I believe that this proposed
arrangement would have a large negative impact on
all individual farmers, especially those who are
small and poor. It also would be an unfair
advantage for the large corporations who compete
against the farmers that they are selling the seed
to.
mrabc
No. But when has ethics ever been able to stand
in the way of making money?
Michael J Burke
...I think that inventors should be able to get
a reward for their effort. But after some
reasonable time inventions should become public
domain. That way, free market forces can cause
manufacturing efficiency and benefit the average
person.
