Who Will Feed the World?

Can Science and Technology Save Us?

The Royal Society of Edinburgh recently expressed concern that scientific advances are now so rapid and sophisticated that scientists run the risk of not fully understanding the implications of these advances.  "Science provides tiny, fragmented insights into the natural world," wrote David Suzuki.  "We know next to nothing about the biological makeup of Earth's life-forms, let alone how they are interconnected and interdependent. 

As Science magazine explained, "neither the risks or the benefits of GEO's  [Genetically Engineered Organisms] are certain or universal. . . .Our capacity to predict ecological impacts of introduced species, including GEO's, is imprecise."

Many "advances" have truly been a double-edged sword.  They do some good, but they also demonstrate man's lack of wisdom and, all too often, their greed.  (Jeremiah 10:23)   For instance, while the green revolution produced an abundance and fed many mouths, it also contributed to the loss of biodiversity.  By promoting the use of pesticides and other expensive farming techniques, the green revolution ultimately benefited "corporate plant breeders and the elite of the Third World at the expense of ordinary people," wrote Dr. Mae-Wan Ho. This trend is continuing as agriculture based on biotechnology  becomes and even bigger and more powerful enterprise and takes us into a future where food security becomes increasingly dependent on science. 

These concerns, however, need not fill us with gloom.   Really, they just serve to illustrate a larger point.  The Bible helps  us to see that we  should not expect too much from the imperfect humans currently managing this planet and its resources.   For now, failures and mismanagement are simply part of the human condition.  Hence, Psalm 146:3 advises:  "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." But we can put our complete trust in God. (Proverbs 3:5, 6) He has both the desire and power to help us.  -Isaiah 40:25, 26. 

Next time: Who Will Feed the World? Soon-A Vibrant, Thriving Earth 

From the Awake! magazine