Some constituent groups are concerned that this technology will allow seed companies to overcharge farmers for seeds, because all seeds will be sterile and no alternative sources will exist. To introduce TPS into a variety is expensive and time-consuming. It is highly likely that companies would introduce it into only a few varieties in which they have a heavy investment, especially those that have been genetically engineered and cannot be protected in any other way. If the added value is not there to justify the cost of TPS-protected seed, the farmer will substitute less expensive seed. The patent was awarded based on a demonstration of its efficacy in a tobacco plant test system.
Work is currently underway to introduce the system into cotton for further testing.
We do not expect that TPS will be available for commercialization before 2005. Other applications of the gene control system will not be available until a later date. The use of biotechnology to improve crop plants has tremendous potential to improve agricultural productivity, but there are many barriers to achieving that potential. It is too expensive to be used when the planted acreage is small. As a result, many horticultural crops or other specialty crops are denied the benefits of modern plant genetic improvements.