Nowadays we like to say 'we are what we eat', but for generations among the faithful, it's been equally true to say 'we worship what we eat'.
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'Maize culture faces two new problems, one being the use of maize as a
bio-fuel and the increment of prices, where it directly affects the
Mexican population. The other problem being the genetically-modified
maize, it's almost personally offensive - and religiously - that you are
playing God, as it were ... it's just very sensitive. Especially when
you take corn to be used for other purposes other than to be eaten or be worshiped, but rather to be put into a car - it becomes a highly
controversial issue.'
So even today for some people it's unthinkable that maize, the divine
food, should end up in a petrol tank. Well beyond Mexico, the idea of
genetic modification of crops still causes deep unease, as much
religious as scientific - a sense that the natural order is being
disturbed, that humans are trespassing on territory that's properly
reserved for the gods. In a very real sense, the Mexican maize god is
still alive, and he's not to be trifled with.
From BBC
