When A Corn Becomes King Analysis

In the article “When a Crop Becomes King” by Michael Pollan, the author discusses how the usage and consumption of corn has a negative effect on everything that it comes into contact with. America has let corn become a “king” in our society and country. Corn is said to be a king because corn basically controls our government since there is the $190 billion bill only to subsidize corn. “One need look no further than the $190 billion farm bill President Bush signed last month to wonder whose interests are really being served her. Under the 10-year program, taxpayers will pay farmers $4 billion a year to grow ever more corn. . . the plant already produces” (Pollan 23). It can be seen through the author’s eyes that he really distastes the thought of a mere crop such as corn is …show more content…
The pesticide that is made by the burnt fossil fuel damages the body because it runs into the groundwater that people drink, allowing pesticide to enter the body harming it and corn has high triglyceride levels that can increase the risk of heart diseases and obesity. Another main use for corn that the author discusses in the article is the beneficial uses of corn. “United States most of the corn we consume is invisible, having been heavily processed or passes through food animals before it reaches us. Most of the animals. . . subsist on a diet of corn” (Pollan 23). “By far the best strategy for keeping zea mays . . . of high-fructose corn syrup, which has all but pushed sugar aside. Since the 1980’s. . . consume now come from corn sweeteners” (Pollan 24). Although corn has many negative effects, it does however have positive effects as well. Corn can be turned into ethanol, Vitamin C, biodegradable plastics, and high-fructose corn syrup. Therefore through the author’s eyes, corn has both negative and positive effects on the ecosystem and the human