As part of the project "Cultural Framing Meets the Precautionary Principle: Testing Mexican Views on GM Maize," funded by the AULET-16 program, the study aimed to investigate whether cultural framing influences Mexican attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) maize and support for the government's ban[1].
The project employed a between-subjects survey experiment involving 498 participants recruited via the Prolific platform. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving factual information about GM maize, and the other receiving culturally framed information that emphasized the historical and cultural significance of maize in Mexico. The main focus of the study was support for the GM maize ban, measured on a 7-point Likert scale. Secondary outcomes included perceptions of cultural heritage and risks associated with GM maize.
The results indicated that deeply ingrained cultural identity plays a dominant role in shaping Mexican attitudes towards GM maize. Support for the ban remained consistently high across both groups, suggesting cultural identity as a significant factor. However, cultural framing was found to be effective in fostering perceptions of greater social support for the ban, with participants exposed to cultural framing perceiving higher levels of support from others.
With the support of the AULET program, the project successfully recruited participants and conducted high-quality data collection. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of how cultural values can be activated and utilized in environmental policy debates, particularly in contexts where cultural heritage is closely intertwined with environmental concerns.
Future research will extend these findings to a sample of individuals of Mexican origin residing in the United States, aiming to explore whether their cultural identity weakens or "dilutes" in a different geographical context.
[1] The Mexican government recently implemented a ban on genetically modified (GM) maize for human consumption. This decision is based on the precautionary principle, which means acting to prevent potential risks even if the scientific evidence about those risks is not fully certain. In Mexico, maize (corn) is not only a staple food but also a significant part of the country’s culture and heritage, with numerous native varieties that have been cultivated for thousands of years.
The concern is that genetically modified maize, which has been altered in laboratories to improve crop yield and pest resistance, could contaminate these native varieties. Such contamination could reduce the genetic diversity of maize, potentially causing the loss of unique characteristics that are important for Mexican agriculture, traditions, and culture. This could have irreversible consequences for Mexico’s biocultural heritage.
While many scientific institutions consider GM maize safe for human health, the Mexican government has chosen to prioritize the protection of its unique agricultural heritage and biodiversity, ensuring that native maize varieties are not threatened by the introduction of genetically modified strains. This decision reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding both cultural identity and environmental health.
