The Meaning Behind Corn in Mexico

In Mexico, corn is more than just a staple food; it is woven into the cultural fabric of the nation. The saying “Sin maíz, no hay país” translates to “Without corn, there is no country,” illustrating its importance not only in gastronomy but also in national mythology.

President Claudia Sheinbaum reinforced this sentiment by stating, “Corn is Mexico. We have to protect it for biodiversity but also culturally, because corn is what intrinsically links us to our origins, to the resistance of Indigenous peoples.”

Recent Developments

This constitutional amendment, finalized with Congress’s approval, aims to ban the planting of genetically modified seeds, responding to a growing movement to safeguard the thousands of heirloom corn varieties indigenous to Mexico.

Previously, efforts to phase out all GM corn imports faced challenges, particularly after a ruling from a trade dispute panel deemed such actions against the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. However, this amendment specifically targets the seeds rather than processed products derived from them.

Impact of Genetically Modified Crops

Annual imports of genetically modified corn from the U.S. amount to approximately $5 billion, primarily used for livestock feed. Despite existing legal restrictions against planting this corn, experts indicate that contamination of native maize varieties continues, resulting in the potential loss of unique ancestral varieties.

Timothy Wise, a researcher from the Global Development and Environment Institute, noted, “There’s a disturbing level of contamination of native maize with genetically modified traits,” attributing it to illegal plantings and cross-pollination.

Cultural Significance of Corn

Corn has occupied a sacred space in Mexican culture for over 9,000 years, originating from the domestication of a wild grass known as teosinte. It has been celebrated in art and literature, serving as a symbol of identity and resilience, with notable figures like poet Octavio Paz proclaiming, “The invention of corn by Mexicans is only comparable to man’s invention of fire.”

Today, the dietary reliance on corn remains profound, with estimates suggesting that the average Mexican consumes between one to two pounds daily, making it integral to traditional dishes such as tortillas, tamales, and drinks like atole.

Concerns Over Nutritional Value

Researchers, including María Elena Álvarez-Buylla, have voiced concerns about the nutritional inferiorities of genetically modified corn compared to indigenous varieties, associating GM corn consumption with health risks. Her studies show that nine out of ten tortilla samples from various cities contained traces of genetically modified maize.

Trade Policy Challenges

Historically, Mexico was an exporter of corn, but the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), instituted in the 1990s, shifted that status, leading to a steep increase in U.S. corn imports and challenging the viability of local farming. The resultant economic pressures forced many Mexican farmers to adapt to subsistence farming or seek employment abroad.

Wise highlighted the irony of U.S. trade policies favoring biotech crops, stating, “We’ll ignore the agreement when it’s convenient for us. We’ll enforce it when it has an impact on some biotech companies.”