From a policy perspective, which measure best balances encouraging beneficial bioengineering innovations while limiting potential economic harms from corporate seed control?

• A. Do nothing: allow unrestricted patenting and exclusive licensing without public oversight because market forces alone will always protect farmers from exploitation.
• B. Require that all bioengineered seeds be sold only by the federal government at a fixed price regardless of development costs or ongoing maintenance—this is the only way to control corporations.
• C. Promote public‑sector breeding programs and enforce transparent licensing practices that ensure farmer access while allowing private firms to innovate—this supports innovation and reduces monopolistic risks.
• D. Ban all private seed companies and nationalize seed production entirely, because private innovation cannot be trusted under any circumstances.

Answer: (C)