Concentration in corporate power is the defining feature of today's global economy. The ‘life sciences’ industry is converging into new corporate structures that have profound implications for every aspect of commercial food, agriculture and health. Today, a handful of multinational seed and agrochemical companies dominate global seed sales and 2004-2005 saw an upsurge in seed industry takeovers. The top 10 companies control 49% of the world’s $21,000 million commercial seed sales. In 2004, one company’s biotech seeds and traits – Monsanto’s - accounted for 88% of the total GM crop area worldwide. See “Global Seed Industry Concentration – 2005”, ETC Communiqué, September/October 2005, ETC Group www.etcgroup.orgClick here to read discussion of GURTs and corporate concentration