Question

Why can farmers not save GM seeds from one year to the next?

The seeds are patented and must be bought each year.

The seeds are not viable beyond one year.

The seeds will not produce as many crops the following year.

The genes for herbicide resistance will expire the following year.

Answer 1

Farmers cannot save GM seeds from one year to the next because the seeds are patented and must be bought each year. The companies that create and sell GM seeds retain the intellectual property rights to those seeds, and farmers who use them must sign a contract agreeing not to save the seeds for replanting in future years. This ensures that the companies are compensated for their research and development costs and that farmers have access to the latest and most effective seed varieties.