My wife and I follow this weekly ritual of making chappatis on weekends. A kind of bread that is staple diet of north Indians. If Monsanto had its way we would have to apply to Monsanto for a license. Producing chappati's without that may have been a theft of intellectual property. Strange, because it wasn't Monsanto who taught us this art. It's a family tradition that our ancestors have mastered and refined over generations.
Every year millions of Indian couples go out in their farm to produce Nap Hal. The strain of wheat used to make chappatis. If Monsanto had its way they may have to pay royalties to Monsanto. Producing Nap Hal without that may have been a theft of intellectual property. Strange, because it wasn't Monsanto who invented the seeds. They are the result of a collective effort of generations of farmers in India who spent years crossbreeding crops.
Follow the links to these news
Monsanto's Chappati and Nap Hal Patent:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2004/jan/31/gm.food
EPO revoked the patent after Greenpeace filed a legal opposition.
http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=13582831
I patented blogging about Monsanto. That will be 2 cents, sir.
ReplyDeleteHah, but I hold patent for commenting on blogs about Monsanto :D.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents ;)