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Throughout the world, an estimated one billion people lack access to clean fresh water, and almost as many suffer from hunger and malnourishment. At the other end of the food spectrum, millions of people suffer disease and ill health associated with overconsumption and poorquality nutrition. For the first time in modern history, average life expectancies in developed nations such as the United States are projected to decline in the next generation as a result of conditions associated with poor nutrition, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The potential of science to address these global issues was examined at the Fourth World Conference on The Future of Science, September 24–27 in Venice, Italy. The theme of the conference was ‘‘Food and Water for Life’’(www. thefutureofscience. org). Speakers and conference attendees included scientists from many disciplines as well as politicians …