By Karin Heinze . Fuente: www.ig-saatgut.de
The EU organic patent directive was passed 14 years ago. Since then, patenting living organisms has become a much discussed and emotional theme.
As well as ethical and scientific objections to patenting, social and economic reasons are increasingly coming to the fore. Patenting in agriculture and plant breeding in particular can obstruct or block access to genetic resources.
The interest group for non-GM seed (IG Saatgut) has now presented a study that analyses the impact of organic patents on organic breeding and seed conservation work. The investigation reveals, among other things, the historical development and the political and economic framework conditions for organic patents, the current situation in classic conventional plant breeding and the problems for the organic sector.
The study also includes the description of a precedent, demands and possible courses of action plus some investigation of related themes like the international seed market, conventional methods of breeding, genetic engineering and biodiversity. In IG Saatgut, nine breeding and seed conservation organizations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland are striving to ensure the continuation of work on organic, GM-free seed.