THE great debate on genetically modified crops shifted to developing countries this year. While the European Union looked set to introduce tough labelling regulations and US farmers moaned that no one wanted to buy their food, India took the plunge and embraced GM crops.
Mexico was one country determined to stand firm against the tide and preserve the purity of its many native maize strains. But its efforts seem futile. The crops in many fields have interbred with GM maize, because grain from the US has been spilt or planted.
India discovered some farmers were already growing pest-resistant Bt cotton,…
