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Biotech giants demand a high price for saving the planet

080608_monsanto1.jpgGiant biotech companies are privatising the world’s protection against climate change by filing hundreds of monopoly patents on genes that help crops resist it, a new investigation has concluded. The study — by the authoritative Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group), based in Ottawa, Canada — has found that nine firms have filed at least 532 patents around the world on about 55 different genes offering protection against heat, drought and floods. If granted, the companies would be given control of crucial natural raw material needed to maintain food supplies in an increasingly hungry world. Last week, as world leaders met in Rome to discuss the food crisis, GM companies promoted their technologies as the answer to hunger. On Thursday, Monsanto — the biggest and most controversial firm — announced a “commitment” to increase food production, partly by developing crops that need less water. Image Source: educate-yourself.org/cn/monsanto-no-food.gif. > Continue.

Publication: Covalence Press Release | Country: Global | Company: Monsanto Source: The Independent

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