There were many issues to be decided, including the whole issue of patenting life forms. At the original trial, Monsanto said that by putting a gene into a seed, they invented the seed. When the seed becomes a plant, they invented the plant. Now if you look at the implications of that: if you put one gene in any seed, or any plant, or any life form, whether it be a bird, an animal, or a fish or a human being – does that say the corporation responsible has invented that life form?
It is an important issue not only of the rights of farmers being able to use their seed from year to year but the whole rights of controlling and owning genes – the controlling and owning of human beings, animals, birds, bees and so on.
In December 2002 the Supreme Court ruled on one very important issue: in Canada you cannot patent a higher life form, including a seed or a plant.
The really worrying thing is how we can lose our rights and freedoms. The contract from Monsanto, takes all farmers’ rights away. Here is a paraphrase of a few clauses.
“You cannot use your own seed.
You must always buy your seed each year.
You can only use Monsanto’s chemicals.
You have to pay a fixed fee, per acre, per year as license fee or technology charge to Monsanto.
If you commit some violation of this contract
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