Deployability of Biotechnologies for Agriculture: A Comprehensive Assessment
Abstract
Agriculture, while being humanity's largest infrastructure, is also a leading driver of environmental degradation. Early-stage biotechnologies offer potential solutions, but their deployability has not been thoroughly evaluated. We assess the deployability of 77 biotechnologies across eight domains using a Balanced Readiness Level assessment, considering technological, market, regulatory, acceptance, and organizational factors. We find that market viability and social acceptance are primary constraints, not technological readiness. High-readiness technologies tend to be 'drop-in', contained, transient, and perceived as natural. We propose strategies to improve deployability, such as addressing containment concerns for genetically modified organisms. Quantitative analysis, like a Fermi analysis of microbial fertilizers, is needed for scalability and environmental impact assessment. We outline a roadmap for living infrastructure: predictively designed multicomponent biological communities functioning as ecosystem-level systems to enhance food security and environmental resilience.
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