Is this true?

[Paddy]

It is not just about modified or GM seeds. They have also patented bean seeds that have been used in Mexico for hundreds of years. By doing so Monsanto are able to collect royalties on produce from Mexico. Mexico stopped exporting beans to the US.
Also, Congress passed the Monsanto Bill that makes it impossible to sue them for any damages consequential or otherwise for GM products.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I can see how you could have a patent on the cocktail of chemicals that you add to perfectly good natural foods to make them more profitable but I think you'd have a hard time arguing the case for patent on a potato - as Sir Terry used to say - "Is it just me" The world seems to have gone slightly bonkers just lately

[NotAllThere]

The patent bit is true, sort of. Obama put a law in place which gives greater protection to Monsanto and it's patents, so the whole fuss is very yank-centric at the moment.

A less hysterical view here: Monsanto, steaks, and chefs: Intellectual property and food | Washington Times Communities

[Sysman]

Avaaz - Monsanto vs. Mother Earth

It sounds so ridiculous and hysterical that I don't believe that this is the whole story. Monsanto is patenting GMO vegetables but the ones already in existence are just there, aren't they?

First hit in Google for grain patents

They don't want farmers to save seeds from the previous year's crop.

And that includes the third world farmers who can least afford to pay.

P.S. These companies were what Blair was fighting for when he was telling us that GM foods were OK

[SantaClaus]

Avaaz - Monsanto vs. Mother Earth

It sounds so ridiculous and hysterical that I don't believe that this is the whole story. Monsanto is patenting GMO vegetables but the ones already in existence are just there, aren't they?

I would love to see Monsanto in court with God on that one.

[xoggoth]

Won't be long before somebody patents sex. It will cost us a licence fee of $32 a time.

http://www.xoggoth.org/pages/xoggoth8.html#patent

[cojak]

Avaaz - Monsanto vs. Mother Earth

It sounds so ridiculous and hysterical that I don't believe that this is the whole story. Monsanto is patenting GMO vegetables but the ones already in existence are just there, aren't they?