Beans Quote by Vandana Shiva
“If you read Wall Streets reports, they dont talk of soya bean as originating in China. They dont talk of soya bean as soya bean. They talk of Monsanto soya. Monsanto soya is protected by a patent. It has a patent number. It is therefore treated as a creation of Monsanto, a product of Monsantos intelligence and innovation.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Earth Democracy by Vandana Shiva, 2005
The quote critiques how corporate patents rebrand natural crops as proprietary inventions, obscuring their origins and granting companies control over essential food resources.
In simple terms: Patents turn natural crops into corporate property.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge corporate control over food.
Themes
food sovereignty
corporate power
intellectual property
environmental justice
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- food policy debates
- consumer awareness campaigns
- academic research on seed sovereignty
Key Concepts
Patents
biopiracy
agroecology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does patenting affect farmers' rights?
- What alternatives exist to protect indigenous crops?
A Different Perspective
Corporate patents can stifle traditional farming practices and biodiversity.
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