Genetically engineered seeds are a critical part of business strategy for the handful of companies that dominate the American crop-seed industry. And any company that can lay exclusive claim to those products with patents stands to collect an increasing share of that revenue. That is why J.E.M. Supply and Pioneer Hi-Bred have pursued their fight to the Supreme Court. Genetic engineering involves breaking the DNA barrier to directly transfer plant and animal genetic material. Genes from human, animal, plant, bacteria, virus or other organisms can be inserted into another species.
Specialists call the result a transgenic plant or animal.
But concern over such plants' impact on soil, pests, beneficial insects and people who eat the ingredients grown from them has alarmed some environmentalists and consumer groups, particularly in Western Europe. Some research has shown that seed toxins can leach into soils. Other studies contend that pollen from engineered corn can kill monarch butterfly larvae. Such opponents say that no one understands the long-term effects of these genetic manipulations. Supporters argue that seeds with antibacteria genes will reduce the need for insecticide use because they can be programmed to kill specific pests or weeds.