The genetic modification of plants to produce sterile seeds (dubbed "Terminator" technology by RAFI - now ETC Group -- in 1998) has been widely condemned by civil society, scientific bodies and many governments as an immoral application of biotechnology. If commercialized, Terminator would prevent farmers from re-using seed from their harvest, forcing them to return to the commercial seed market. "Traitor" technology refers to the use of an external chemical inducer to turn "on or off" a plant's genetic traits - the same mechanism used to control seed sterility in Terminator plants. The development of chemically-dependent plants and genetic seed sterilization threatens farmers, food security and the environment. The ETC Group is campaigning with CSO partners world-wide to ban Terminator and Traitor technologies.
