Will new biotechnology expand the carrying capacity of the Earth?

Question

Just looking for some real educated opinions.

Answer 1

We may be able to feed several more billion people in the world in the next few centuries but bear in mind that if 2 billion people have a lot ot trouble respecting the right to live of all other species in the planet (destruction of forests, overfishing), what would be the ecological footprint of several more billion people? I envision the future with a total disappearance of single homes, replaced by massive skyscrapers, total disappearance of forests, replaced by synthetic food and oxygen factories, mass extinctions in the oceans caused by "marine" habitats for people. How long will the planet accomodate its slow destruction by the human race? What will happen as we kill every single living thing in the oceans and in the forests? We may be able to survive, but what would it be like to wake up in the morning without a singing bird, a playful dolphin, a beautiful flower? Luckily by then colonization of other planets will be possible. But will we destroy those planets as well? When wiil we start respecting Peace and Nature?

Answer 2

Yes I think improved bio-technology could increase food yields and its nutritional value (imagine beefsteak tomatoes made of real beefsteak), and probably produce lots of medicines more cheaply, but I don't think these are the current limiting factors in the Earth's "carrying capacity."

Define carrying capacity, btw? Personally, I think about 3/5ths of the population has a pretty rough existence, implying we are already well over the carrying capacity of the planet in terms of standard of living. Technology is playing catch up as it is.

We could grow more food than we do now with current tech, but that is not the problem. I don't think humanity's woes are biotechnology addressable issues, but more social and political issues. Famines are usually associated with bad weather AND political upheaval/wars, and often the latter is enough on its own. Look at all those refugees in and from Darfur who are unable to farm because they have fled. This is not about increasing crop yields.


Power/energy is a bigger deal than anything. With enough energy you can do a lot and I am not sure biotech can help with that significantly, unless you figure out how to grow photoelectric plant life that also wires itself up to some sort of grid you run through the ground. We ain't there yet.

Answer 3

Only if food can be grown locally. Africans can't afford American corn if they only had to cover shipping. So all the technology in the world won't help people who cannot afford it. They have to grow it themselves, then technology would increase capacity.

Answer 4

Somewhat, but not indefinitely.

We will have to learn to live wihin our means, in ters o non-renewable (AND renewable) resources. Otherwise, obviously, we'll snuff ourselves.