The Right to Equality... Species Equality: seeds & plants

When Bill Gates spoke at the World Economic Forum, in March 2011,

he stated that it is important to get "better seeds" to more countries.

He said this phrase twice, very easily,

as if they were just more words in a long conversation.
and his interviewer asked for no explanations.

I was shocked by the term "better seeds."

What makes one seed better than another?

Gates was referring to genetically-modified seeds, a very
controversial topic in the fields of agriculture and sustainability.

But by using the word better inserted for genetically-modified (GM),
Gates was able to dodge the controversy and no one paused.

Genetically modified (GM) soybean plants grow at Monsanto’s automated greenhouse in Raleigh, N.C.

So what is the meaning of equality in regards to seeds and plants?
I am reminded of plants referred to as 'parasites' or 'invasive.'
Or, I think of how we humans refer to ourselves as "top" of the food chain,
as thinking beings, "superior" beings to the rest of species,
an attitude with roots from Descartes's philosophy of "I think, therefore I am."

This is not a post about GM foods, which was posted here,
if you want to view this discussion.

This is a post about species equality.
We compare humans vs. humans, humans vs. other species,
and we compare plant specimens. And now seeds?
Why do humans feel the need to compare any tree as better or worse than another tree?

Iconic image of human vs. human inequality:
poor favelas next to high-rise luxury apartments in Brazil.