A video on Hulu called “The Future of Food” is a very interesting account of how companies own patents to different varieties of seeds in the U.S. Monsanto, one of the largest seed owners (and producers of pesticides) has genetically engineered seeds to resist their own pesticide products. The company has then filed numerous lawsuits against farmers for “illegally” obtaining these seeds, even though they were inadvertently blown onto their land by wind and grown their accidentally.
This is a very interesting topic because it shows how the nature of agriculture has dramatically shifted since it started during the Mesolithic/Neolithic periods. Who knew that people can now legally “own” seed varieties and then prosecute others for obtaining those seeds. What’s to keep all varieties of seeds from being owned by corporations and virtually controlling the U.S.’ (or world’s) entire food stock??
Link to video: http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food
