GenØk Biosafety Brief: Transgenes in Mexican Maize, Ten Years On: Still not addressing the right questions on risks

13.12.2011

David Quist and Georgina Catacora-Vargas, GenØk - Centre for Biosafety, Tromsø, Norway

Summary

Ten years ago, the discovery of transgenes in Mexican maize sparked an international discussion on the use of GM crops in centers of origin and genetic diversity. Since then, the pertinent question is no longer if transgenes will contaminate Mexico´s maize landraces, but more importantly, what we might lose if this continues. Answering this requires addressing the right questions within Mexico’s context--not only the scientific concerns of environmental, health and biodiversity-level effects--but also their inter-related social and economic impacts. Domestic society should therefore play a role in the assessment of whether genetically modified (GM) maize is appropriate for Mexico as the center of origin and genetic diversity. Today, a more integrative decision-making process on the appropriateness of GM maize for Mexican agriculture is needed, including consideration of whether alternative approaches to meeting maize production challenges may provide greater benefits with fewer risks.

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