More than 760 million people around the world are hungry, with even more at risk as the planet's population is expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050. At the same time, climate change and related droughts, floods and epidemics of pest and disease are predicted to challenge our ability to reliably and consistently produce food.

Lab grown food, plants bred with molecular tools and a better understanding of the planet's complex ecology hold the promise of solving the world's food challenges. Given all of these tools, what is the best way to tackle the fast-coming problems of hunger and food security? Four scientists weighed in on the challenges and possible solutions.

• Pamela Ronald, plant geneticist, UC Davis, Focus on results new technologies bring
• Henk Hobbelink, agronomist, GRAIN, Support small farmers
• Eric Schulze, molecular biologist, Memphis Meats, Science can't be at the expense of culture
• Deborah Delmer, plant biologist, Genetic modification is an important part