Final answer:
In the late 2000s, concerns about the safety and environmental impact of genetically modified (GM) crops led regions like Japan to issue bans and impose strict regulations, partly influenced by organic agriculture movements and various socio-economic factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the late 2000s, several regions around the world began to take a firmer stand against the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops. The debate surrounding GM crops incorporates various perspectives, including health, environmental, and socio-economic concerns. In particular, Japan made headlines in 2013 when they blocked the import of U.S. wheat over the possibility that it might contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This incident highlighted the growing caution regarding GMOs, despite the potential for such crops to contribute to agricultural yields as seen in the Green Revolution. Organic movements, most notably the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement, assert strong opposition to the inclusion of GE (genetically engineered) crops in organic farming, emphasizing the importance of maintaining pure, non-genetically-altered crops even in organic maize which has significantly diverged from its wild relative, teosinte.