Making Sense with Sam Harris #244 — Food, Climate, and Pandemic Risk
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Apr 6, 2021 
Sam Harris chats with Bruce Friedrich and Liz Specht from the Good Food Institute, experts in transforming protein production for a sustainable future. They discuss the shocking connection between animal agriculture, climate change, and pandemic risks. The conversation highlights the rise of alternative proteins, the psychological barriers to accepting new food technologies, and the crucial role of biotechnology in ensuring global health. They emphasize the need for appealing solutions to make sustainable options accessible and desirable to consumers.
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Food Production and Global Health
- Global health concerns, like pandemics and antibiotic resistance, are directly linked to food production, especially protein sources.
- The status quo is unacceptable, necessitating a shift in how we produce food.
Bruce Friedrich's Motivation
- Bruce Friedrich's concern for resource economics and the harms of industrial meat production led him to explore food technology solutions.
- He co-founded the Good Food Institute (GFI) to address the challenge of feeding a growing population sustainably.
Liz Specht's Path to GFI
- Liz Specht's background in biotechnology and global health led her to GFI.
- She worked on algae-based vaccines and biosensors before realizing the potential of alternative proteins.