ETC Group: Syngenta Claims Multi-Genome Monopoly

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Mon, 10 Jan 2005 14:54:57 -0500

ETC Group: Syngenta Claims Multi-Genome Monopoly

 

 

 

 

ETC Group News Release

Monday, January 10, 2005

http://www.etcgroup.org

 

Syngenta Claims Multi-Genome Monopoly

 

ETC Group's first Communique of 2005 focuses on Syngenta, the global

gene giant that ranks first in agrochemicals and third in seeds.

Syngenta has a patent pending in 115 countries that, if approved, would

give it a multi-genome monopoly over at least 40 plant species.

 

Calling Syngenta's patent claims " an unprecedented bid for multi-genome

monopoly, " ETC Group (pronounced " et cetera " ) has written to the

European Patent Office (EPO), the World Intellectual Property

Organization (WIPO) and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

demanding that the patents be rejected. Simultaneously, ETC Group has

written to the Director-General of FAO (Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations) and to the Chair of the

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)

asking them to oppose Syngenta's applications, " on the grounds that

they represent a direct threat to world food security and an attack on

public agricultural research, " said ETC Group's Research Director, Hope

Shand.

 

In a Communique released today, ETC Group reveals how Syngenta's public

image as the " nice " multinational belies its actual activities. " No

more 'Mr. Nice Guy,' " Kathy Jo Wetter at ETC's US office insists,

" Syngenta is muscling its way toward control of dozens of plant species

even as it appears to make nice with FAO and CGIAR as the good guy Gene

Giant. If Syngenta is granted this patent, it will make Monsanto look

like Santa Claus. "

 

Syngenta's 323-page application, WO03000904A2/3 claims monopoly control

of DNA that regulates flowering development, flower formation, whole

plant architecture and flower timing in rice - in up to 115 countries.

But the claims are not limited to vital rice gene sequences. According

to a study prepared by Dr. Paul Oldham at Lancaster University (UK),

the scope of this massive patent application is virtually limitless -

extending to flowering plants in general, including those not yet

classified by taxonomists. Syngenta's claims extend to key gene

sequences of 23 major food crops annexed to the FAO Treaty on Plant

Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. " If all its claims are

approved, " says Silvia Ribeiro in ETC's Mexico office, " FAO's seed

treaty will be virtually useless. " Dr. Oldham's analysis is available

on the Internet: http://www.cesagen.lancs.ac.uk/docs/genomics-final.doc

 

Researchers are just weeks away from completing a polished sequence of

the rice genome. This DNA blueprint of the crop that feeds half the

world's people is also the basis for identifying similar genetic traits

in other flowering plants. " Effectively, " says Kathy Jo Wetter, " the

completed rice map provides a template for most of the world's major

food crops. Syngenta is arguing that since it can identify certain gene

sequences in rice, it can monopolize the same sequences when they turn

up in other species. "

 

Syngenta's involvement with rice genome research has been convoluted

and controversial. Initially, the company attempted to withhold its

genomic research from the public domain and only surrendered some

information after the scientific community - including two Nobel

laureates - criticized Syngenta publicly. Even as the company won

favorable publicity for donating some data, it was simultaneously

applying for its multi-genome patent. The company has also had a sticky

history with genetically modified Golden Rice - the supposedly vitamin

A-rich rice created through public funds and then surrendered to the

company's predecessor in order to avoid patent disputes. On the eve of

World Food Day last October, Syngenta donated patent licenses to the

Golden Rice Humanitarian Board. Syngenta Foundation - a

company-dominated private foundation in Switzerland - stirred more

controversy and embarrassment when it was invited to become a full

member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

(CGIAR).

 

" While the Genome Giant congratulates itself for donating rice

germplasm and information to public researchers, its lawyers are

working overtime to monopolize rice resources, " says ETC's Silvia

Ribeiro.

 

ETC Group is calling upon FAO and CGIAR to take the unusual step of

challenging the patent application prior to its determination by patent

examiners. " The patent system is heavily biased in favor of a patent

holder, " explains Hope Shand. " If we don't block this patent and it is

approved with all its claims it will take years - possibly more than a

decade - to have it rescinded. The litigation costs will be huge... It

is urgent that FAO and CGIAR defend world

food security and protect the public good now before the monopoly is

granted. "

 

The full text of the Communique is available on the ETC Group website:

http://www.etcgroup.org

 

For further information:

Pat Mooney, ETC Group (Canada) etc, (613) 241-2267

Hope Shand and Kathy Jo Wetter, ETC Group (USA) kjo,

hope tel: +1 919 960-5223

Silvia Ribeiro, ETC Group (Mexico) silvia 52 55 55 632 664

Jim Thomas, ETC Group (UK) jim tel: +44 (0)1865 201719;

mobile: +44 (0)7752 106806

 

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