CHICAGO, Ill. – Monsanto Co., whose genetically modified seeds have raised environmental and health concerns among some European consumers, says it will not commercialize the controversial terminator gene technology that sterilizes seeds.
In an Oct. 4 letter to the Rockefeller Foundation obtained by Reuters, Monsanto chair Robert Shapiro said the company decided not to develop the gene after seeking comment from the foundation and other groups.
The technology, which Monsanto said was still several years away from commercial production, prevents plants from producing fertile seeds, forcing farmers to buy more seed rather than using that from the previous year’s crop. Critics contend the gene hurts farmers in developing countries who can’t afford to buy new seeds each year.
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“I am writing to let you know that we are making a public commitment not to commercialize sterile seed technologies, such as the one dubbed Terminator,” Shapiro said in the letter to Rockefeller Foundation president Dr. Gordon Conway.
Analysts said Monsanto was wise to back away from the terminator gene technology as it faces fierce opposition in Europe and elsewhere to its genetically modified seeds. Monsanto’s seeds are altered to resist certain crop pests or to withstand certain herbicides.
Critics of the biotech crops say there is not enough research to conclude the crops are safe for the environment and for human consumption.
“This has really turned into a social issue, and an emotional one at that,” said George Dahlman, agribusiness analyst with U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “It is one more bit of fuel added to the GMO fire in Europe.”
In the letter, Monsanto said it held patents on other gene protection technology that would discourage farmers from planting seeds from a previous crop but would not render the seeds sterile.
