Your
Tax Dollars at Work
see other terminator
technology articles 1, 2,
3 & 4
Following are excerpts from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s website at www.ars.usda.gov/whatsnew.htm
on “Why USDA’s Technology Protection System (aka “Terminator”)
Benefits Agriculture”: “U.S. Patent 5,723,765 entitled
‘Control of Plant Gene Expression’ ...covers technology
referred to as a plant ‘Technology Protection System’
(TPS). TPS uses a genetic engineering approach to prevent unwanted
germination of plant seeds...Hybrid seeds found in corn, sunflower,
sorghum and other crops provide a conventional genetic protection
system that allows seed companies to protect their investment in
developing and marketing new varieties. But other crops produce
seed that can be saved and replanted in the next growing season.
Because of this seed-saving practice, companies are often reluctant
to make research investments in many crops because they cannot recoup
their multiyear investment in developing improved varieties through
sales in one year. TPS would protect investments made in breeding
or genetically engineering these crops...by reducing potential sales
losses from unauthorized reproduction and sale of seed...TPS will
be used initially with self-pollinated crops such as cotton, soybeans
and wheat.” A few questions to ponder: “unwanted germination
of plant seeds” unwanted by whom? “unauthorized reproduction
and sale of seed” unauthorized by whom? Is government research
for the benefit of the public sector or the private sector? Don’t
want your government to be in the business of supporting behemoth
corporations at the public expense? Don’t want it in the business
of preventing farmers from saving or reselling their own seed? Write
The Honorable Dan Glickman, Secretary, US Department of Agriculture,
200-A Whitten Bldg., 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC
20250 or fax him at (202) 720-2166 and share a few of your thoughts
with him!! |
