GMO PD for biosafety in Mexico: Applications of a hierarchical model of communication

Abstract

The genetically modified organism (GMO) regulation process in Mexico has been subject to a wide public diplomacy (PD) campaign that started in the 1990s and is now about to conclude. Mexico has introduced a GMO-favourable policy, with major consequences for its economy and agricultural trade with the United States, where most of the transgenic seeds come from. A hierarchical PD model is proposed as an analytic framework for the study of biosafety legislation in Mexico. The model shows the decisions on GMO regulation to involve multinational corporations, international organisations, public agencies, scientific community, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and media. The interaction among politicians, experts and civil society has been strongly divided either for or against large-scale manipulation applied to agriculture. Consultation with scientists was thoroughly exercised, creating diplomatic hybrids such as environmental NGOs or public – private partnership. The fusion of these actors shows a high level of complexity in GMO policies, which favours the interest of pro-GMO actors, but puts at a disadvantage those against genetic manipulation, mainly small producers and environmental lobbyists.