Spatial-Temporal Evolution of Scientific Production about Genetically Modified Maize

Maize is the grain cereal that is the basis of human and animal diets in Mexico and Latin America; it constitutes an essential crop for global food security. The objective of this study was to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution of scientific production on the theme of GMO maize, through a bibliometric analysis of the texts available in the main editorial houses (Elsevier, Scopus, and Springer), open access journal articles database (Conricyt, Scielo, Redalyc, Latindex, Claryvate Analytics, Periodica, and DOAJ), and freely accessible web search engine Google Scholar, to determine the factors that influence the impact of the studies. From 1991 to 2019, 917 texts were found whose spatial-temporal evolution showed a linear growth that concentrated in Latin America (58.56%). The low impact (measured by the number of bibliographic citations) of scientific studies developed in countries of Latin America was related to their publication in journals edited in their own countries and in Spanish, which restricts the constructive criticism of peer review. For the case of Mexico, a spatial discrepancy was also found between research centers and production areas, which limits the transference of technology; and no specialized author in theme of GMO maize was found; the researchers responded to scientific trends in agreement with the agrarian policies of the time.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the spatial-temporal evolution of scientific production on GMO maize, finding a linear growth in Latin American literature and low impact in scientific studies published in their own countries in Spanish. In Mexico, spatial discrepancies were found between research centers and production areas, limiting technology transfer, with a lack of specialized authors in GMO maize themes. Researchers responded to scientific trends in accordance with agrarian policies of the time.