Ninth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

This study describes the significance of legal challenges against releasing GMO corn in México, corn’s center of origin and diversity. Since 2013 in the Colectividad del Maíz dispute, courts have temporarily stopped any planting of GMO corn in México. The research examines the critical moment behind this six-year suspension. In México, maíz (corn) is proudly associated with national and indigenous cultures. Accordingly, controversies over GMOs encompass far more than government procedures, legislation, scientific expertise, and international treaties. For Mexicans, GMOs threaten culture, the most daily of food items, and spiritual links to centuries of history. La Colectividad argues that GMOs threaten biodiversity. GMO transgenes inevitably alter landrace corn, compromising genetic diversity needed to combat climate change and develop plant strains. Foreign seed companies like Bayer-Monsanto use intellectual property rights to challenge the suspension. They need this to commercially sell GMO seeds. In terms of economics, authority, and ideology, this resembles historic challenges over indigenous lands, farmer support, and natural resources in México. Previously, with colonialism, liberalism, and neo-liberalism Mexicans lost control over their food and farms. Identifying economics, authority, and ideology, the presentation contextualizes the current corn fight. México’s President López Obrador promises to ban GMOs but has not passed any relevant legislation nor settled the lawsuit. López Obrador refers to rural economics, aid for campesinos, and sustainable farming in public speeches criticizing GMOs. The review concludes by examining this moment in reference to likely changes in GMO corn regulation. These policies will determine maíz’s sustainability for México and worldwide.