Educational Media Reviews Online

Not for Sale discusses the ethical issues surrounding the biotechnology of genetically modified organisms (referred to as GM and GMO) and the patenting of naturally-occurring entities such as plants, antibodies, and stem cells.

Opening with scenes from Yellowstone National Park (with “Hot Hot Hot” for background music), we are told that a tiny organism that lives in the geysers’ heat has been sold and patented to a corporation for research. We then hear a few sound bites from the protests at the Seattle meeting of the World Trade Organization.

We learn that biodiversity is now seen as a commodity. Instead of considering plants and genes to be public domain, they are now commodities to be patented. In exchange for funding from corporations, universities are forbidden from continuing to openly sharing information. People from the state of Washington, Iowa, California, India, and Ecuador present their views about the patenting of plants and genes, and their thoughts about genetic modification. Interviewees include activists from India and South America looking to protect their people and environment, an agriculture professor using traditional means of bettering wheat, and an Iowa farm family attempting to survive without raising crops from genetically modified seeds.

Concerns are raised about the wisdom of wholeheartedly jumping into widespread use of GM crops. We learn that many GM seeds require the use of special chemicals, also purchased from the seed manufacturer. Farmers not only can not save seeds from their harvest to be used next year, they have the additional expense of the chemicals in addition to the seeds for planting. Although concern about losing biodiversity is important for American farmers, a lack of biodiversity has the potential to be devastating to poor farmers in developing countries. Where they may have traditionally grown many varieties of potatoes, so that if drought or insects destroyed one variety another would probably survive, now they are planting a single hybrid. Peru is used as an example of countries where corporations go “prospecting” for viable products. Some go in search of plants with medicinal value; others prospect for genes from the indigenous peoples. Of particular concern is what damage could be done

Although the filmmakers’ purpose is clearly to bring to the viewer’s attention the ethical issues involved and raise our concerns, they do present the other side respectfully. For most examples, they provide a statement of what businesses are doing and why, before presenting the problems with the activity.

Excellent production values. Clear picture and sound. A good mix of action footage with a variety of talking heads. Subtitled sections are easy to read. Background music uses catchy songs that effectively stimulate interest. Half-hour length makes the program ideal for classroom viewing, with time left for discussion.

Not for Sale is a thought provoking program that effectively demonstrates that genetically modified organisms are a global as well as local concern. Highly recommended.