In April 2021, an editorial in Nature Food pointed out the limitations of approaches that rely solely on technological innovations in achieving food security and sustainability, and discussed the need for traditional knowledge and behavioral change to solve the current food crisis.

The article pointed out that technological innovations such as cultured meat, precision agriculture, drones, artificial intelligence etc. may be expected to enable more and safer food production in the future but may not guarantee a sustainable food system. It also emphasized that in addition to recognizing the limitations and risks of technological innovation, it is also necessary to take into account that the food crisis is not only a technological problem. Therefore, it is just as important to recognize the ethical aspects such as the choices that must be sacrificed to solve the food crisis and the extent to which people can make a choice.

The full article is available at

Editorial. The limits of a technological fix. Nat Food 2, 211 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00275-z

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Director, Information Program)