A crowd of nearly 100 north shore residents, most of foreign extraction, turned out at the Ajijic waterfront Saturday, May 24, to raise their voices in conjunction with the global grassroots campaign aimed at toppling biotech giant Monsanto.
Engendered by a Facebook page that first appeared just four months ago, the March Against Monsanto movement mushroomed into a worldwide protest that drew an estimated two million people to the streets in 52 countries.
Monsanto is a U.S.-based multinational corporation that is the leading producer of genetically engineered seed and the herbicide glyphosate marketed under the brand name Roundup.
Critics opposing the company’s growing hegemony over agriculture and food production in many nations point to multiple issues such as environmental damage and health problems linked to pesticide exposure, birth defects and chronic diseases suspected of being caused by consumption of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), the company’s perceived attempt to put an iron grip on seed patenting, production, sales and the world farming sector as a whole.
Local activists expressed particular concern over the introduction of GMO crops in Mexico, where the government has given the go-ahead for experimental programs allowing limited cultivation of GMO corn in northern parts of the country.
Referring to Mexico as the “cradle of maize,” speakers mentioned the rich diversity of the country’s native strains, including wild varieties of ancient origin that were discovered in Jalisco’s Sierra de Manantlan protected bio-reserve.
Scientists have identified this endemic teocintle maize as unique in the world. Its future existence could be in peril if exposed to outcrossing pollination by GMO corn.
Concern was also raised about the diminishing practice of turning locally ground field corn into nixtamal, the traditional basis of masa (tortilla dough). Most Mexican consumers now purchase mass-produced tortillas made from maseca, a corn-based flour product the protestors claim is made from GMO corn imported from the United States. They suggest that the trend could lead to widespread deterioration of health among the nation’s populace as well as permanent loss of native corn species.
The anti-Monsanto movement advocates buying locally grown organic produce, labeling of GMO-based products, boycotting Monsanto and other companies involved producing and marketing GMO foods, and government bans to prevent those outfits from spreading their influence and control in the farming industry.