Bill Gates is working with the U.S. Department of Defense to integrate genetically modified insects into the food supply, potentially as a step toward reducing traditional meat consumption.
Crickets and grasshoppers are already making their way into the American diet in various forms, including protein bars, shakes, and even restaurant menus.
Additionally, they are promoted as sustainable options for pet food and animal feed.
Regulatory Loopholes
Lax regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have allowed such products to bypass rigorous safety testing.
Many insect-based foods fall under the “Generally Regarded as Safe” (GRAS) category, enabling manufacturers to introduce them to the market with minimal oversight.
Dr. Meryl Nass, founder of Door to Freedom, expressed concerns to The Defender:
“How long will it take before we learn whether these foods are safe? It could take generations.”
In 2012, the Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Explorations program funded All Things Bugs, a project aimed at addressing malnutrition in famine-stricken regions through insect-based foods.
Since then, the project has evolved to include the development of genetically modified insects, with additional support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The company has openly stated its use of technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create insects as a new “bioresource.”
DARPA, a research arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, is a key partner in this initiative.
Claire Robinson, managing editor of GMWatch, emphasized the importance of rigorous testing for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including insects:
“They must be subjected to a pre-marketing risk assessment for health and the environment, including testing for pathogens, allergens, and toxins. Clear labeling for consumers is also essential.”
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Bill Gates has been vocal about his investments in alternative proteins, aligning with his vision of a more “sustainable food system.”
Last year, Gates announced his investment in Savor, a company producing butter from air and water.
Additionally, the Gates Foundation awarded $4.76 million to Nature’s Fynd in 2022, a startup that develops fungi-based proteins.
The U.S. government has also joined the insects-as-food movement through initiatives like the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming (CEIF).
Established in 2021, CEIF focuses on developing methods to use insects as feed for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.
The introduction of genetically modified insects being put into our food without our consent highlights the contempt they have for us.
Meanhwile in the UK, supermarket ALDI is already contemplating the sale of edible insects as a response to the cost of living crisis.
This move is seen as a practical solution to provide affordable and nutritious food options.
The shift from considering insect consumption a “conspiracy theory” to a “conspiracy fact” reflects changing attitudes towards unconventional food sources.
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