Microbial biopesticides: A one health perspective on benefits and risks

Controlling insect pests that destroy crop and spread diseases will become increasingly crucial for addressing the food demands of a growing global population and the expansion of vector-borne diseases. A key challenge is the development of a balanced approach for sustainable food production and disease control in 2050 and beyond. Microbial biopesticides, derived from bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or nematodes, offer potentially significant benefits for promoting One Health and contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This narrative review examines the benefits and risks of microbial biopesticides from a One Health perspective, focusing on the Americas and Europe, and aligned with respective SDGs. The value of biopesticides in sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches for food security, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty) has been widely recognized, with relatively fewer adverse effects to people and the environment than synthetic pesticides. With increased demand and usage, microbial biopesticides can be expected to contribute further to additional SDGs such as SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) through waste recycling for biopesticide production and remediation of polluted ecosystems, and by reducing vector-borne disease burdens such as malaria and dengue. Nevertheless, the prudent and judicious application of microbial biopesticides is crucial to ensuring their effectiveness and maximizing their One Health benefits while minimizing pest resistance and unintended impacts. From a One Health perspective, this goal involves incorporating microbial biopesticides into a comprehensive biological control strategy within an IPM framework for sustainable agriculture and for controlling vector-borne diseases.