Farmers Urge IP System Changes as USDA Preps Competition Report

When Jason Myers-Benner started breeding a new variety of corn, he was careful to note that the plant didn’t carry any genes subject to patents. The trouble now, potentially, is his neighbor’s genetically modified corn across the street.

If Myers-Benner wanted to amplify his variety—which is drought tolerant and quickly reaches maturity—he has to be careful that none of the patented genes in his neighbor’s pollen are blown into his crop. Selling corn with a company’s patented gene could draw Myers-Benner into a lawsuit, a possibility that has left many other farmers, independent seed companies, and plant breeders frozen in ...