1 post tagged “maize”

"Without corn, there is no country"

This is the slogan of activist groups in Mexico who are against Genetically Modified (GM) imports from the United States and instead want native maize grown.

Genetically modified foods are still confusing to me today. On one hand the development of GM crops means that humanity has the capability in the 21st century to sustain our growing population of billions. Norman Borlaug won the Nobel Peace prize for his work in Mexico developing GM wheat. Mexico became a exporter of wheat after the development because the crop was so successful. So much in fact that India and China also adopted GM foods to feed their citizens. GM foods not only are resistant to disease, drought, and chemicals, but can be engineered to contain vitamins that would otherwise be lacking.

On the other hand however there are massive protests against GM foods because of the unknown consequences of blasting new genes into the DNA of a crop. Some studies have shown new allergies occurring due to GM soybeans. And the possibility that GM crops would wipe out all naturally occurring crops, and thus lessen the genetic diversity of the planet.

There is also the issue of cross pollination between crops, mixing GM crops with non-GM crops. The Monsanto corporation has already sued many other farmers for using their brand of GM corn without licensing. The farmers claim that their non-GM crop was cross pollinated and thus Monsanto is illegally preying on farmers. One thing is for sure, that Monsanto is a shady corporation that is always buying out politicians. You have to wonder why.

And then there is the European Union which requires all GM food to be labeled. The US has no such guidelines, and most of the food you get in the Market probably has GM food in it. Many other countries will flat out refuse GM food, even in the form of aid for starving people.

Is GM a technology that changed the world? Yes. But for the better?