- Chapter 12: Analysis (pgs. 468 - 474)
- "Why Does Monsanto Patent Seeds?" by E. Freeman
- "As Patent Ends, a Seed's Use Will Survive" by Andrew Pollack
Discussion Board:
After reading the chapter on analysis and the two articles from the Web, post a comment in which you discuss your opinion on the issue of seed patenting. Is it fair for a company like Monsanto to declare ownership over a seed in the way that a company like Microsoft declares ownership over software? Is that a logical analogy? Why or why not?
i think that it is not right for a company like monsanto to declare ownership over a seed that they dont even manually produce. it is also unfair that the company is making the farmers spend all their earnings on new seeds the following year and not allowing them to use the seeds that they dont use the previous year. i think that is unethical because they should consider the hard work that the farmers put in to make their seeds.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe that farmers should have the right to choose whatever soy beans they want to use, I believe that big companies like Microsoft and Monsanto have to have copyrights of their own production. The first reason I believe this is that today many companies are trying to steal each others’ innovations and giving it their own name to be the first in the markets. It is important for companies to protect their product. Another reason I believe this is because these companies take a lot of time to create their product, use many resources and spend a lot of money to create their product. It would not be fair for other companies to steal from them.
ReplyDeleteI think that Monsanto has a right to patent the seed that inevitably they created and helped in the advancement in growing crops. I think that being developing something takes time and once you have gotten it right, credit should be given where it is due. Microsoft can patent software, and people like Paris Hilton can copyright phrases like "that's hot" why not Monsanto and their seed? Yes, this may be a product of nautre but its not nature's original product, its been modified. So I think that it fine for them to patent this seed, is it morally right that remains questionable. But is it fair? I think so! Why should everyone be able to profit from the hard work of one?
ReplyDeleteI think it was a poor example using the Microsoft analogy, as software's are usually built from the ground up and does not cross any ethical boundaries. Furthermore, many software's give a license/serial for the product that lets them install for many number of computers and or lets them keep the product for life. However,in a business point of view, Monasanto has every right to patent the seeds, thought they cross many lines in what is humanly right into cruelness. But Monasanto is a company, as such, a company has to make money in order to sustain itself and provide more products,products such as newer type of seeds that might make the plants last longer. I believer Monsanto could have provided a better alternate than prohibiting farmers from reusing seeds. Perhaps receive a small royalty from farmers every year for re-using their seeds etc.
ReplyDeletei also agree with nisha because i think that it isn t right for a company to declare ownership over a seed . that which they dont manually produce.althiugh many many companies are trying to steal one another innovation and give it their ptoper name to be the first .this is unetical because they shoud consider them been as equal epacially the hard workers .
ReplyDeleteI believe that monsanto has the right to copyright their genetically altered seed because they created it. Many other companies will try to mimic this product with a cheaper version that might not work. I also believe monsanto is greedy. they are trying to make farmers return all their round up ready 1 soybeen seeds for the more expe nsive round up ready 2 yield. The farmers are up against a wall. they need these seeds to keep a steady income. I think if monsanto was compensated well enough they wouldn't care if the farmers replanted the seeds for the next season.
ReplyDeleteI believe that monsanto should copyright their altered soybean to prevent immitations trying to muse their product.I also believe that the farmers are being forced to do what monsanto wants them to do. they want all round up 1 soybean seeds returned in exchange for the more expensive round up 2 yield. This isn't fair to the farmers. i think if the farmers gave monsanto a huge check, monsanto wouldn't care if they replanted the same seeds year after year
ReplyDeleteI think the farmers should be sure and understand what Monstanto rules are before anything, Montanto should also help the farmers since they are the ones doing most of the work. Maybe if the farmers would be given a better deal they wouldn`t want to replant the same seed year after year.
ReplyDeleteSeed patenting. It is truly unfair for a company like monsato to declare ownership over seeds. It is the farmers and all people related to the farmers should be allowed in conquering and reap all of the rewards of having the seeds. Monsanto is just a company that preys over the little people. It is sad as well to see these unfortunate scenes ocurring over and over again.
ReplyDeleteIn a way i agree but then disagree with a company like Monsanto to declare ownership over a seed that was planted by the farmer b.c they where the ones who put in the work but then again the company was the one who also provide them to plant so many soybeans.I also believe that a company as big as Monsanto also has to make mo0ney but if they aremanking enough money they why don't they pay the farmers more than what they do.And let them reuse there seeds to plant more soybeans instead of exploting and manuplitaing the farmers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tonya because I believe that monsanto should get the credit for the seed that they've created to improve the growth of crops.
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