Luz Ruiz visits a community in Mexico's Chiapas highlands to hear how
the arrival of GM crops is beginning to influence their lives


Date published: 02/09/2003

Duration: 00:05:00

Studio in: Corn has been central to the lives of Mexico's indigenous
peoples. In the highlands of Chiapas, the Tzetzal and Tzotzil people
live out each season according to the agricultural tasks and festivals
linked to cultivating the crop. The corn grown in this region is the
oldest type in the world - all other corn cultivated round the world is
derived from it. Over the last few years, there's been a new arrival
from the outside world - Genetically Modified corn. The Mexican
government banned the planting of GM corn in 1998 but not the import of
it and now the transgenic seeds are also turning up in this region. The
newcomer threatens to alter profoundly the way of life of these people.
Luz Ruiz spent a day with them in the village of Pohlo.

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