The Future of Bananas

The most eaten fruit in the

world is facing possible extinction. While there are thousands of banana varieties,

only one has become the West’s favourite – the

Cavendish: our familiar curvy, yellow-skinned,

seedless fruit. But our obsession with the Cavendish has come at a cost. Years of selection

and humankinds’ migration across the world

has left the Cavendish susceptible to disease

and climate change. How can we save the future of the banana?

Professor James Dale is leading the way.

Based at Queensland University of Technology

in Australia, he and his team have developed

the world’s first genetically modified banana

to be approved for commercial production.

Based on the latest research and technological developments, from gene editing, cisgenics,

AI design and biofortifiction, Dale shows how

we could save the banana, while bringing to

life its colourful history – the lucrative banana

industry has resulted in political coups, drug

trafficking and even murder.

Bananageddon can be prevented, Dale argues, if the world is ready to embrace a new

future led by scientific change.

Author: James Dale

Popular science, Botany & plant sciences, Horticulture, Natural history

Published on 2 Jul 2026 by Melville House UK.