Environment
Why climate change could make staple crops less nutritious—and how CRISPR may help
Key Points
At present, more than 700 million people live with caloric hunger, and more than 2 billion suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, known as "hidden hunger." By prioritizing high yield over nutritional quality, global calorie production has increased while exacerbating vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Stress from climate change has been shown to further reduce the densities of several nutrients.
At present, more than 700 million people live with caloric hunger, and more than 2 billion suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, known as "hidden hunger." By prioritizing high yield over nutritional quality, global calorie production has increased while exacerbating vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Stress from climate change has been shown to further reduce the densities of several nutrients.