The debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food began in the 1990s and has continued to the present day. Proponents argue that GMOs can increase crop yields and reduce pesticide use, while critics raise concerns about their safety and environmental impact. The debate has been a major theme in food politics and has inspired significant literary and artistic responses.

The GMO debate has been a subject of exploration in literature and poetry, with writers often using the issue to explore themes of science, nature, and the ethics of food production. Poets like Margaret Atwood and Wendell Berry have addressed the issue in their work, contributing to a broader public conversation about the future of food.