University of Manitoba

The University of Manitoba (U of M) blocked the release of Ian Mauro and Dr. Stephane McLachlan's publicly funded, farmer-focused, research video - entited 'Seeds of Change: Farmers, Biotechnology and the New Face of Agriculture' - for three years while simultaneously courting Monsanto to relocate their Canadian corporate headquarters to the campus industrial research 'SmartPark'.

Ironically, the U of M claimed that they owned 50% of the intellectual property in a research documentary addressing patent ownership and control over genetically modified (GM) crops and associated socio-economic and environmental impacts. The University would not allow the film to be released without insurance protecting them from claims against the biotech industry, particularly Monsanto. The same individual administrator that blocked the release of the film was personally responsible for negotiating with Monsanto.

The University of Manitoba betrayed it's mandate to generate knowledge for the public good, violated the principles of academic freedom by suppressing its own researchers, and sold out its new found corporate donor - Monsanto! Worst of all, the U of M betrayed the Canadian farm community that arguably was the foundation for this Prairie-based University.

On a positive note, the researchers battled the University and in the fall of 2005 went public with their struggle with the support of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). With their 'Free the Film' campaign, the researchers were able to focus enough public attention on the University's conduct, shaming them into allowing the release of the film. It is now being made available to farmers and stakeholders worldwide.