Insects are not the food of the future after all

A new study undermines the green image of insect farming. The authors warn of safety risks, disease spread, and a higher climate impact than is often assumed. Insect feed for pets in particular stands out as environmentally harmful and economically weak.

Biodiversity risks

For many years, scientists and food experts have touted insects as a potentially sustainable alternative to other animal proteins. But a new, comprehensive study points to risks to biodiversity, genetic contamination, and disappointing carbon efficiency. The article “Have the environmental benefits of insect farming been overstated? A critical review,” published last Tuesday in Biological Reviews, compared the findings of 352 scientific publications. For co-author Dustin Crummett of the University of Washington Tacoma, the conclusion is clear: “Insect protein has been heavily hyped over the past decade, but our comprehensive review of the scientific literature tells a different story.”