In September of 2001, Nature Biotechnology reported that genetically modified maize was turning up in Mesoamerican farmer's maize varieties. The report of genetic contamination was confirmed by a peer reviewed article in Nature which has come under attack by the industry. Given that maize is one of the world's most important food crops, more than 144 farmer and other Civil Society Organizations, including the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, are demanding that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) work together with the Convention on Biological Diversity to halt the contamination of unmodified maize varieties.