I like where your head is at. I’m trying to think of a thought experiment…

A genie is willing to give me a one-million dollar loan and guaranteed instructions on how to genetically modify a seed to better feed 8 billion people - heck, even solve world hunger. That catch is I have to pay the genie back TWO million dollars.

I try to work with the government so the public takes on the (zero) risk and is on the hook for the money, but they don't play ball.

Is it better for me to reject the deal than patent the seed? (I can ‘sell the patent to public domain’ once I break even!!)

PS: I suppose the genie should just be an investor because that is kind of how our beautiful, perfect, and fair capitalism plays it out

I know we both just want a better system so this experiment is about the status quo

Oh, I agree with you. I was just piggy backing the statement I replied to, that questioned the legality of sterile seeds. I think the two go hand in hand, in that growers make produce with sterile seeds and/or patent the seeds to prevent any one else from using them.

Fuck the law if it doesn’t serve you (so long as you aren’t hurting anyone or anything but yours)