Episode
981: Who Owns the World's Seeds with Bill McDorman
- Published
- Apr 24, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2135
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.urbanfarm.org/979
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Summary
This Seed Chat explores the growing consolidation of global seed ownership and the implications of patenting life. Farmer Greg and Bill McDorman dive into the history of seed patent law, the rise of corporate control, and the tension between industrial agriculture and traditional seed saving. They highlight global efforts, especially in Europe, to resist seed patents and protect biodiversity. The episode emphasizes seed saving as both a practical skill and a powerful act of resilience and autonomy. Key Topics Corporate consolidation of global seed ownership Seed patenting and intellectual property rights Supreme Court case Diamond v. Chakrabarty (1980) Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) Utility patents vs. plant breeder protections European coalition: No Patents on Seeds Role of NGOs and international advocacy Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) Center for Food Safety legal efforts ETC Group and global seed policy research Organic Seed Alliance publications Seed saving as resistance and resilience Genetic diversity and climate adaptation Industrial agriculture vs. small-scale seed saving Key Questions Answered Who controls the world’s seeds? A small number of multinational corporations dominate the global seed market, controlling a significant percentage of commercial seed distribution. This concentration is driven by mergers, acquisitions, and patent protections that favor industrial agriculture. How did seed patenting become legal? The 1980 Supreme Court ruling in Diamond v. Chakrabarty opened the door for patenting living organisms. This decision enabled utility patents on seeds, allowing companies to claim ownership over genetically modified—and later even conventionally bred—plants. What was the original compromise to protect seed breeders? The Plant Variety Prote…