Transgenic corn has been genetically altered so that it has certain traits, such as insect resistance or herbicide tolerance. Transformation technology is used to insert a desirable genetic trait into corn seed.
American farmers feed the nation and the world.
Competition in biotechnology ensures that those farmers have access to the latest innovations in seed technology. According to the Department, the proposed combination of DeKalb's intellectual property relating to the leading method of corn transformation, biolistics, and Monsanto's claims to intellectual property in the emerging agrobacterium method, raised concerns about competition for corn transformation. Biotechnology developers need access to transformation technology on competitive terms, so they can introduce new traits into corn seed. The spin-off of Monsanto's agrobacterium claims to the U.C. Berkeley, an independent entity with experience in the exploitation of such intellectual property, will ensure that biotechnology developers will not be deprived of future competition in corn transformation technology. In addition, the proposed combination of Monsanto's corn germplasm with DeKalb's corn germplasm raised competitive concerns.