To develop free software, all you need is a PC, Internet and free time. To develop free GM plants, you need workers, material (host microorganisms, plant ferti

To develop free software, all you need is a PC, Internet and free time. To develop free GM plants, you need workers, material (host microorganisms, plant fertilizer), green houses, lab time, machines (PCR, sterile workbenches, ideally a sequencer, PCs, maybe a fun electroporator, etc.), space for growth etc. Also, the laws are strict - you can't just create GM-organisms in your backyard, depending on the country you're in you have to be in a certified lab with correct procedures for waste disposal etc. The upfront costs involved in developing GM are much, much higher. But it's definitely not impossible - there's for example an open source PCR machine for self-builders, I can see more machines like that coming up...