In a bold video posted this week on Instagram, Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, declared that she is moving forward with a ban on the growing of genetically modified (GMO) corn in Mexico. In the video, filmed in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Sheinbaum is seen holding dried corn cobs in her hand, announcing that she is sending a motion to Congress to ban the planting of GMOs in the Mexican constitution officially.
In the comment section, chefs, artists, and many individuals who have played key parts in Mexico’s recent reclaiming of heirloom corn have hailed the post as a victory for sustainable agriculture and protecting Mexico’s 68 native corn varieties.
The proponents behind this ban argue that GMO corn has the potential to contaminate traditional crops through cross-pollination, jeopardizing Mexico's rich biodiversity. They have also raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), emphasizing the need for more independent research on their long-term effects.