This topic has been under discussion by a large number of agriculture groups
in the past several years. The incident referred to ... Incidental
pollination...has been studied, and debated much in the press. One group,
CropChoice, has followed this in detail, and has some pretty stong views on
the subject. They also have documented the pros, and cons of pursuing this
legally. For an indepth, though admittedly somewhat biased history of this
subject, take a look at the press release history of the group at
http://www.cropchoice.com/pastheads.asp?sort=keyword
Monsanto has been aggressive in defending this patent...and the courts, at
least in Canada, seem to initially defend the patents in spite of evidence
that would seem to argue otherwise. I don't think the final decisions have
been made yet, but owning a patent (and controlling its distribution) on the
genetic makeup of a plant, or animal, is still not a black and white issue.

Kim Flottum
Editor, BeeCulture
623 West Liberty Street
Medina, Ohio  44256
V - 800.289.7668 Ext 3214
Fax - 330.725.5624
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www.BeeCulture.com

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