The essential role of biotechnology in the production of safe, nutritious, and sustainable food

In a world where over 800 million people suffer from chronic hunger, finding sustainable solutions to ensure access to sufficient and nutritious food is a global priority. Each year, World Hunger Day reminds us of the urgency of this challenge, which has been exacerbated by global crises such as climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and economic inequalities that are putting immense pressure on global food systems.

In this context, science and innovation emerge as key tools to transform food systems and address one of humanity's most basic needs: food.
Biotechnology plays a fundamental role by offering solutions that improve agricultural productivity, increase crop resilience to diseases and extreme weather conditions, and develop new, more sustainable sources of food. This report explores how some of AseBio's partners are applying cutting-edge solutions to tackle hunger from various angles, contributing to a future where access to healthy and affordable food is within everyone's reach.

"Biotechnology allows us to create more functional ingredients, detect pathogens and allergens, improve traceability and safety, and increase productivity while adhering to the highest quality standards. It's innovation, and as such, it should help us build the future," says Adriana Casillas, CEO and co-founder of Tebrio, who warns that the challenge we face today "is of monstrous proportions." "Apart from how appropriately or not we are using natural resources, the reality is that we don't have enough food for everyone. There's no need to project into the future. It's happening already. And as the global population grows, the problem will only get worse."

In this context, the Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) represents a unique opportunity to combat the global food deficit. This insect provides high-value proteins and lipids for animal feed, as well as 100% organic biofertilizers and chitosan for applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, or environmental industries. "Livestock currently consumes 20% of the protein we produce annually, directly competing with human consumption. We need to introduce large volumes of alternative protein into the agri-food chain, and insects meet all the requirements: they are healthy, sustainable, and can be produced at an industrial scale with very limited environmental impact," emphasizes Casillas.

Gene Editing: A Cornerstone for Revolutionizing Agriculture and Addressing Food Security Challenges

Gene editing is a key tool to transform agriculture and respond to global challenges such as food security and sustainability. In July 2023, the European Commission took a significant step by presenting a draft regulation to allow the use of new genomic techniques (NGTs) in the development of plant varieties, particularly those obtained through targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis. The legislative process is ongoing, following an agreement reached in March 2024 between Member States to open negotiations with the Parliament and the Commission, which will have to conclude in a final text.

The biotech sector considers it essential for the new regulation to facilitate the use of these technologies in Europe. "It's a very important step for Europe to incorporate this technology into the development of plant varieties that contribute to the sustainability and competitiveness of European agriculture," highlights Jordi Arnalte, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability Iberia at Bayer Crop Science.

However, Arnalte warns of the risk of introducing amendments "that lack scientific basis and deviate from the spirit of the Commission's proposal," as they impose unjustified ideological barriers on varieties developed using techniques that are more precise and safer than traditional methods. "We trust that the negotiations will result in a regulatory framework that is proportional and aligned with scientific progress, so that Europe doesn't fall behind other countries already advancing in agricultural research and innovation," Arnalte concludes.

Regenerative Agriculture and Digitalization: Producing More with Less

It is clear that global food systems are under enormous pressure due to the challenges described. Bayer highlights the crucial role of regenerative agriculture as part of the solution. The company is working to implement regenerative agricultural practices that help farmers increase production using fewer resources while restoring Earth's natural ecosystems.

Plant biotechnology plays a critical role in addressing climate change and feeding a growing global population. Research into seeds and traits focuses on areas such as herbicide tolerance, pest and disease resistance, and improving the quality and productivity of crops. These innovations drive more sustainable agricultural practices, such as reducing the use of pesticides, promoting minimal or no-tillage farming, and enhancing soil health, contributing to Bayer's sustainability goals.

As part of regenerative agriculture strategies, digital solutions are transforming farming by enabling precision agriculture that optimizes resources and reduces impacts. Thanks to these technologies, it is possible to detect pests in specific areas to apply pesticides only where needed, manage nitrogen levels efficiently, or plan harvests optimally—all under the principle of "producing more with less and restoring the soil," as Arnalte explains.

Within these digital solutions, artificial intelligence platforms are emerging as an essential tool to transform precision agriculture. As Laureano E. Carpio, Communications Manager at ProtoQSAR, explains, these platforms monitor climate, soil, and plant health data, helping detect early signs of stress, pests, or diseases before they become widespread problems. This early detection capability enables more effective interventions, reducing losses and optimizing input use.

"In parallel, predictive QSAR and machine learning models facilitate the in silico design (purely computational) of new compounds that can act as biostimulants and biopesticides, anticipating efficacy and minimizing environmental risks. This significantly shortens development cycles and ensures more precise treatments, reducing losses in resource-limited areas," notes Carpio, who adds that computational chemistry applied to agriculture allows for predicting the effectiveness and safety of biostimulants and fertilizers before reaching the laboratory, optimizing dosage and gradual nutrient release during critical crop growth phases. This technology helps reduce irrigation needs and define more precise application windows, ensuring more resilient and productive crops, all while using available resources more efficiently.