Genetically Modified Crops and Intellectual Property Rights: Indian Scenario

Abstract

New “genetically modified” technologies were introduced with a promise of solution to increased food production via sustainable approach. However, besides raising various environmental, ethical, and social concerns, today, GM technologies are being promoted by multinational business corporations, who are privatizing the world’s food chain and protecting their investments using intellectual property rights. The introduction of GM crops has often been associated with intellectual property (IP) protection. In view of increasing privatization of agricultural research, it has been argued that private companies need IP protection, including patents, to provide for a return on their research investments. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.