Edible insects are attracting attention as a way to address global issues such as food shortages, malnutrition and the environmental impact of raising livestock. Interest was sparked by a report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2013. Why insects, you may ask? Some are high in protein, an essential nutrient for humans, while others are rich in minerals and vitamins too! In this episode, we look at efforts to make consumption of insects more widespread, from insect farms in both Japan and Southeast Asia, to research on creating allergen-free insects through genome editing. Then, in our J-Innovators segment, we'll examine a new communication device that supports people who have difficulty communicating through speech.

[J-Innovators]
"Looking" to Improve Communication for the Speech-impaired