The Seeds That Cannot Grow: Unraveling the Debate on Terminator Technology

Abstract

Terminator seeds, formally known as Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTs), represent one of the most controversial innovations in modern agriculture. Developed in the late 1990s as a genetic mechanism to prevent seed saving, they have sparked debates across scientific, ethical, and political arenas. On the scientific front, V-GURTs and T-GURTs promise precise control over sterility and trait expression, with potential applications in biofuels and climate adaptation. Ethically, however, they raise profound concerns about farmers’ rights, food sovereignty, and human rights, with the FAO (2001) deeming them “generally unethical.” Socio-political reactions have been strong: the CBD (1999) moratorium, India’s PPV&FRA (2001), and Brazil’s Biosafety Law (2005) banned their use, reinforced by grassroots campaigns branding them “suicide seeds.” Economically, GURTs are tied to the consolidation of the global seed industry, where the top three firms control over 50% of the market, creating fears of corporate dependency. While proponents argue that GURTs could serve as tools for gene containment and innovation, critics warn of biodiversity risks, loss of seed sovereignty, and deepening farmer dependency. The future of GURTs remains uncertain, caught between innovation and extinction, reflecting a broader struggle over who controls seeds and the future of global agriculture.