Why doesn't our government want us to share garden seeds?

[BigBoxaJunk]

Our government has a vested interest in preventing Americans from becoming TOO self-sufficient.

I guess when gardening was only a hobby, it was OK, but now that more and more people are growing their own food, and more and more people are making a bit of money selling locally grown food, NOW it has their attention.

Seed libraries struggle with state laws limiting exchanges

 

[Jeepster48439]

Unintended consequence of a "well intentioned" law. Now a new law needs to be written and passed to mitigate this consequence. What a waste - government control.

 

[CathyInBlue]

Dow Chemical, Monsanto, and Archer-Daniels Midland must have their business models protected.

This is actually an area of Indiana law that is relevant to my interests but which I have not yet investigated. Anyone care to post a set of IC citations for statutes limitting or restricting heirloom seeds/home gardening/seed libraries?

 

[warthog]

Didn't know this was controlled. Tagging for informational purposes.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Didn't know this was controlled. Tagging for informational purposes.

Me neither. I assume it is done to protect all those genetically engineered seeds farmers are using out there now.

 

[halfmileharry]

This law is right on it's intended target. Genetically engineered seeds are dangerous when not completely regulated. Cross breeding on these seeds can lead to trouble and has been known to have this potential since their inception. It's been common knowledge amongst some farmers for a long time.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

This law is right on it's intended target. Genetically engineered seeds are dangerous when not completely regulated. Cross breeding on these seeds can lead to trouble and has been known to have this potential since their inception. It's been common knowledge amongst some farmers for a long time.

But the "enforcement" of the regulations in the article is directed at private people who raise garden plants the old fashioned way. My favorite part of the article is the official who states that, although he admits that the parties affected pose little to no danger, the regulation doesn't allow his agency the discretion to not intervene.

Government agencies decide every day which entities that they put their resources toward, and which ones they ignore. Every day.

 

[Robert Richardson]

It is easy to figure why it is regulated: They can't tax your garden!!

 

[halfmileharry]

But the "enforcement" of the regulations in the article is directed at private people who raise garden plants the old fashioned way. My favorite part of the article is the official who states that, although he admits that the parties affected pose little to no danger, the regulation doesn't allow his agency the discretion to not intervene.

Government agencies decide every day which entities that they put their resources toward, and which ones they ignore. Every day.

They still need to keep track of the seeds. My farmer buddies tell me that the mutated seed can destroy all crops if things go awry. Granted they have a selfish agenda and I don't know anything but the hear say on this. They're pretty passionate about this.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

They still need to keep track of the seeds. My farmer buddies tell me that the mutated seed can destroy all crops if things go awry. Granted they have a selfish agenda and I don't know anything but the hear say on this. They're pretty passionate about this.

The "danger" is over-blown.

 

[unshelledpilot]

The "danger" is over-blown.

I think the law comes from a good place. From my limited understanding companies use genetically mutated seeds to grow faster and bigger, and more importantly, to make the resultant seeds in the crops infertile. Can't profit if people just buy one tomato and grow a garden from it. I think that particular trait is what the law is trying to curtail. If an errant seed crossbreeds with the "fertile" seeds, then there could be a situation in which the infertility could spread out of control and wipe out an entire species of food. Good intention, bad execution.

 

[TaunTaun]

Two Words...


Commerce Clause

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

I think the law comes from a good place. From my limited understanding companies use genetically mutated seeds to grow faster and bigger, and more importantly, to make the resultant seeds in the crops infertile. Can't profit if people just buy one tomato and grow a garden from it. I think that particular trait is what the law is trying to curtail. If an errant seed crossbreeds with the "fertile" seeds, then there could be a situation in which the infertility could spread out of control and wipe out an entire species of food. Good intention, bad execution.

Not sure where you learned that, but it's not really true. Monsanto does have a patent on a technique that produces a modified gene (sometimes called the Terminator gene), that causes the parent plant to produce sterile seed, but they do not currently use that technique and have publicly said that they won't. There is no danger that I know of involving the crossbreeding of garden plants to our food supply. If anything, crossbreeding by private gardeners benefits our food supply, that's what produced almost all of the so-called heirloom varieties of vegetables that exist today.

 

[Papadaca]

Monsanto wants you to buy thier seeds, They also have thier people in office to pass laws in the company;s favor......

 

[PistolBob]

If a company like Monsanto says it, it must be true.

 

[Leo]

Control the masses, womb to tomb, nipple to outhouse. Quality food is the best medicine. Government mandated food makes you weak enough to need government mandated drugs, from the government mandated insurance company.

 

[cobber]

Unintended consequence of a "well intentioned" law. Now a new law needs to be written and passed to mitigate this consequence. What a waste - government control.

Or just ignore the law?


Theoretically speaking, of course...

 

[BroodXI]

This is probably old news seeing how the the documentary came out in 2008. But i just saw it again the other night, and it made me sick to see what's happening. i understand the science, and why it's being used like it is, what i didn't know was about the relationship people in power had with the seed companies.
topdocumentaryfilms.com/food-inc/

 

[Inabcentia]

The woman in the article said it best. Saving seed is a human right.

 

[DWT]

Another interesting documentary-style op-ed is Farmageddon. It plays right into my biases, but it is more documentary than any Michael Moore videos are.