A millionth of a pound can sometimes be deadly. In addition, the chemical toxins that currently end up in the food and water supply pose a serious threat to animals, fish and birds. An estimated 70 million birds die annually from chemical pesticides. Pesticide use is expected to increase as the need for more crops rises. To feed the estimated 7.7 billion people in the year 2020, the yield per acre of cereal crops must double, and we will need to triple food production by 2050, says King.
Insects are adaptable.
We need to be able to protect not only our crops, but ourselves and other creatures. King's next step will be a field study of the non-toxic pesticide.