The recent case involving a Chinese national attempting to steal biotechnology trade secrets, and sentenced to more than two years in prison is evidence that other nations want to capitalize on U-S seed development innovation. Andy LaVigne (La-veen) is the executive director with the American Seed Trade Association. He says obtaining the desired traits of a variety or hybrid is a long and expensive process, and seed companies protect their research and results through patents and intellectual property rights. He says most nations respect the rules of intellectual property, However, LaVigne says other nations are able to jump to the front of the line by stealing biotechnology research.
LaVigne says along with the development of biotechnology comes the responsibility of managing that technology.
LaVigne says the seed industry works with the farming community so they better understand the investment made to developing biotechnology traits in seed genetics.
