Are GM plants fertile, or do farmers have to buy new seed every year?
All GM plants commercialized so far are as fertile as their conventional counterparts. Nevertheless, GMO opponents have attacked companies who they claimed were planning to use Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTS) or the so-called ‘terminator’ technology to prevent farmers from planting saved seed in the following season (http://www.isaaa.org/Kc/inforesources/publications/pocketk/Pocket_K21_(English).pdf). It has now become something of an urban myth that “terminator” seed is being sold. Recognising the sensitivity of the subject, there are no such crops in the market place and the major biotech companies have pledged not to use the technology. Note that GURTS and hybrid seeds should not be confused. Already, many farmers, particularly in developed countries, prefer to buy new seed each year because it produces better yields. In the case of F1 hybrid crops such as maize and many vegetables, buying new seed is preferable, as the harvested crop does not breed true. This has not p
