Nanotechnology-Based Artificial Photosynthesis: Food Security and Animal Rights in the Sustainocene

Abstract

Development of nanostructured materials that facilitate the globalization of artificial photosynthesis (particularly the "food" part of that process, involving atmospheric nitrogen fixation and carbon dioxide reduction) offers unique opportunities to address some of humanity's most significant food security and climate change problems. Here we explore whether it also may have a profound impact on how our laws protect the interests of other sentient beings (such as the animals we slaughter for food) and their ecosystems.