An article in the Economist (September 15, 2012) describes impact of the recent drought in the US, coupled with ethanol blending requirements for fuel on a spike in corn prices. Similar choices by other drought stricken countries and price sticker shock by importers are described as causing even further price increases. But while corn price increases help rural agricultural labor, they hurt the urban poor and increase the overall number below the poverty line. Should countries do nothing, as the article suggests, and let the market adjust supply and demand ? Should biofuel regulationa be eased to free up corn for human consumption ? Or should food be subsidized to ease trade flows ?