Because a small number of corporations control a large portion of genetically modified seeds, they have distribution and selling power. At one point in time, many of the seeds sold to farmers that were resistant to herbicides were also referred to as terminator seeds. This is because the seeds were also designed to produce sterile seeds, meaning farmers could not replant the additional seeds from their harvest. Instead, farmers had to continue purchasing from agrochemical corporations, leaving them subject to whatever prices were set for the seeds. Terminator seeds entered the market in the 1990s, and they prevented pollen production as well as crossbreeding in the wild. What used to be a natural, continuous cycle became a linear relationship that began and ended with these large firms. Some companies even made it so the seeds wouldn't activate without a specially designed compound that farmers also had to buy. In this regard, genetically modified seeds morphed into a tactic to control farmers and the food supply. In the early 2000s, complaints about this practice rose, and federal governments around the world had to step in. Biosafety laws came into effect to better protect farmers. Today, terminator seeds have an international moratorium.
The dominating presence of GMOs also has an influence on the ecosystems around them. Farming with genetically modified seeds has caused other seed varieties to drop over the years, leading to the endangerment and extinction of other crop varieties. When we create only one type of seed for each crop and grow them at an industrial level, we create monocultures. Monocultures of any crop also tend to be disadvantageous for the environment, as they take away the biodiversity and suck up the soil's nutrients. A land that grows plants of all kinds will do a better job of fostering a healthy ecosystem.