Open-Source Genetics?
I've been reading about Monsanto and
other companies suing farmers whose crops have incorporated genetic
signatures from patented soy and corn, although the farmers themselves
never adopted the GM crops--they just blew in with the pollen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto_Canada_Inc._v._Schmeiser
I
was wondering if, this being genetics and all, it might be possible to
turn that on its head in much the same way as the open source software
movement put out a license that required that any software
incorporating anything from the open source software itself be made to
be open source.
In other words, it might be possible to derive a variant of soy,
for example, patent it, and release it under GPL (in hedgerows and
backyards) where its genetic material could incorporate itself into
Monsanto or ADM soy fields and render it unsellable from a patent-law
point of view. To overturn the law and allow the soy to be sellable
would also, QED, allow the farmers who are getting sued for planting
next years' crop from the seeds of this years' without paying more to
have a serious legal defense.
Open source genetics is going to happen, as long there is
patentable genetics and publicly available genetic modification tools.
Both of those exist. I think it would be worthwhile considering the
foundation of an ethical open-source genetics foundation ASAP. Any of
you know of such a thing?
