[chmike]

The assumption that a company can make a "better crop" is naive. There is nothing like a "better crop". It may be better about some features. What is underestimated is that it may have introduced regression on others yet unnoticed or disregarded. Bioengineering is very complex and currently based on trial and error. It's not yet true engineering.

Transpose this to software development. Is a modified program correct and without regressions because it "works" ? Until we don't fully understand how all the biochemestry works it's like changing the software code in semi random ways and see if something "better" comes out of it. What fool would do that in software engineering ?

[Houshalter]

If it wasn't "better" than farmers wouldn't buy it/use it. Maybe it's quality is debatable but then they are free to debate and decide.

None of that has anything to do with patents.

[chmike]

It can be a better look to be bought and decrease the taste quality. Very frequent in todays vegetables found on hypermarkets.