Setting seeds and farmers free: a group of scientists seeks to make crops open source

We live in an age where nearly everything is being copyrighted, patented and trademarked. The food we eat is no exception. Hybrid seeds are increasingly being held as intellectual property by the companies that breed them -- companies like Monsanto. Enter the Open Source Seed Initiative, a group of scientists who are out to set our food free.

"If we don't do something we will find ourselves in a situation where all of the genetic resources are protected in some way through licencing or patent arrangements," Irwin Goldman, a vegetable breeder at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and part of the Open Source Seed Initiative tells Carol.

Last week, he, along with other scientists based in Wisconsin, released 29 new varieties of crops that anyone can own, grow and distribute -- including barley, lettuce, quinoa, carrots and broccoli. The only caveat: any new innovations made with those seeds must be freely shared in the public domain as well.

Hear Carol's full interview with Irwin Goldman by selecting the "Listen" button.