The Iowa State University (ISU) Research Foundation, Inc. is suing Monsanto Company. The case, filed in federal district court Monday, claims Monsanto is using a genetic blueprint developed and patented by ISU researchers in the company’s Vistive brand low-linoleic soybeans.

ISU Research Foundation Executive Director Dr. Ken Kirkland told Brownfield the two sides have been talking. And Kirkland said he’s hopeful the matter can be settled out of court.

“We’d prefer to resolve our differences through negotiations,” said Kirkland.

Separately, a high ranking ISU official told Brownfield on condition of anonymity that ISU researchers examined the DNA from Monsanto’s Vistive soybeans and found it to be identical to the low-linoleic soybean patented by ISU. The official said the Foundation brought the lawsuit after talks with Monsanto broke down.

Monsanto declined to provide a spokesperson to be interviewed for this story, but denied expropriating genetic material from ISU for use in its Vistive soybeans. Indeed, the Monsanto statement suggested an agreement had been reached with the ISU Research Foundation, at least as far the company was concerned.

“We did not use any material from ISU and did not infringe upon any of ISU’s patents,” the statement asserted. “Nevertheless, when we learned there was a dispute, to avoid litigation, we worked to resolve the issue, since we have had a long, productive relationship with Iowa State University, where a number of our employees obtained their education,” it added. “We did indeed reach an agreement on this issue.”

What both sides in the dispute appear to agree upon is that they are willing to continue dialogue to resolve the matter. Legal analysts contacted by Brownfield suggest it’s unlikely the case will ever come to trial.

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