The socio-environmental function of the genetically modified plants patentsThis inter-disciplinary study focus the social-environmental issues associated to land use and to the conservation of nature in view of the current Brazilian legislation and within a Political Ecology perspective.In particular, it is dedicated to Modern Biotechnology and Law.More specifically, we analyzed the protection of plants through patent rights [industrial property rights] in contraposition to the obligation to comply with the socio-environmental function.As a follow-up of the abyssal line theory proposed by Boaventura de Souza Santos, we look for a deepening of the socio-environmental perspective of the problems related to Modern Biotechnology.We verified if the socio-environmental aspects are being considered by the legislation, and which are the implications of this relation.This study was developed through literature and documental search, as much in Modern Biotechnology as in Law.It is expected that this study contributes with subsidies to the defense of the most basic human interests, hit by the results of genetic sciences and their applications in modern agriculture in Brazil.