Abstract

MASSIEU TRIGO, Yolanda Cristina. Cultivos y alimentos transgénicos en México: El debate, los actores y las fuerzas sociopolíticas. Argumentos (Méx.) [online]. 2009, vol.22, n.59, pp.217-243. ISSN 0187-5795.

This essay gives a nowadays view about transgenic crops in Mexico and the World, in order to deal with contemporary debate about these new plants and genetically modified organisms (GMO) in general. I describe what issues were discussed in the 80s, when the first GMO appeared and how the controversy has been transformed in present times. I emphasize socioeconomic, politic and cultural impacts of GMO in countries like Mexico, where agriculture is weak, there is food dependency and high biodiversity. In the third part I analyze Mexico's situation concerning GMO, outstanding transgenic maizes debate. I finish with a brief reflection about how pertinent is the liberalization of transgenic maize production in Mexico, specifically maize, and how it would affect food and agriculture situation in the country.

Keywords : crops; transgenic food; political forces.