solarpunk memes

I reject your hypothetical. Your hypothetical is built to ensure the conclusion you desire, not to accurately reflect the possible worlds that exist. Seeds could be developed by government labs and released into the public domain. Hell, the foundational science behind patented crops is all publicly funded already. The private companies just come along later and reap the benefit of the taxpayer's investment.

Science doesn't happen for a profit motive. Most scientists are people who are genuinely and passionately interested in their chosen field. They are intrinsically motivated to pursue knowledge for its own sake; they're not in it to make a buck. The actual biologists and agronomists developing these crops don't even get paid in a portion of the profits; they're paid a salary. They would be just as, if not more happy, to be paid a salary as part of a state-funded research lab. The people actually developing these products would happily give them away to any and all, but parasites at the top turn it into a rent-seeking operation.