The never-ending controversy over GM wheat: a view from the South American arena

ANA MARÍA VARA

Praga

Congreso; Society for the Social Studies of Science (4S) Annual Meeting; 2020

Society for the Social Studies of Science(4S) y European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST)

Since the beginning of the global controversy over genetically modified (GM) food, GMwheat is one of the most resisted crops, particularly because it is a cerealdevoted to human consumption, unlike most other GM crops already in use, like soybean, corn and cotton. So far, no GM wheat has gained commercial approval inthe world, although there have been lots of field trials and some incidences ofrogue plants. Although resistance remains strong, there have been repeated attempts at developing different kinds of GM wheat.Argentina, a traditional agro-exporting country that is one of the largest producers andexporters of GM crops (mostly because of its early and enthusiastic adoption ofGM soybean), is currently discussing the adoption of a drought-tolerant GMwheat. Developed by the local company INDEAR through a public-privateagreement, HB4 wheat has gained pre-approval. Final approval seems to depend mostly on acceptance by main importers of wheat.The discussionover HB4 wheat in Argentina is particularly revealing because this country continuesto be a privileged arena where global forces around GM food collide. Global andlocal, big and small, national and transnational actors play a drama in whicharguments over autonomy and colonialism, food security and climate change,transnational companies and public policies, as well as over kinds ofknowledge, uncertainty, and cultural values are deployed in intricate ways.