Agricultural Biotechnology and Intellectual Property Seeds of Change

Abstract

This volume addresses the intersection of agricultural biotechnology with intellectual property rights (IPRs) from a number of diverse perspectives. Since agriculture in its current phase is closely integrated with other sectors of the economy, professionals such as molecular chemists, computer scientists, commercial artists and psychologists are now collaborators in agricultural value chains. Therefore, examining the role of IPRs in agriculture not only illustrates how technology markets and social policies are tightly linked, but also indicates why IPRs are at the centre of many emerging social priorities around the world. Recent advances in genetically engineered seed varieties provide a clear example. Life science companies are the driving force behind the development of new plant varieties, as well as the providers of unprecedented levels of funding to public research universities. Six major parent companies control much of the US seed industry. They have not only revolutionized farming and increased farm yields, but have also raised a host of questions concerning food safety, university research funding, market share, research and development (R&D) incentives, property rights, the eligibility of living organisms for patent protection, international property rights, trade secrets, piracy, the exploitation of developing countries and environmental safety