 A 2009 "Scientific American" editorial quoted a scientist who said that several studies that were initially approved by seed companies were blocked from publication when they returned "unflattering" results.While favoring protection of intellectual property rights, the editors called for the restrictions to be lifted and for the EPA to require, as a condition of approval, that independent researchers have unfettered access to genetically modified products for research.In December 2009, the American Seed Trade Association agreed to "allow public researchers greater freedom to study the effects of GM food crops".