Population growth and trends in food consumption are expected to result in a net food deficit and widespread loss of food security across the globe within four decades. It is generally accepted that this crisis will have to be met by increased livestock production, using less land, less water and in an environmentally sustainable fashion. As animal reproduction and reproductive efficiency are the basis of livestock production, it is essential that technological advances be made to increase the animal-based food supply. Improvements are required in artificial insemination procedures, in embryo transfer and in transgenic animal production. Technology is evolving such that it may soon be possible to rapidly sequence genomes and transcriptomes to hasten genetic improvements, to produce gametes from stem cells, and to increase success rates in livestock transgenesis. The principal constraints at this time are on research funding and on the paucity of scientists with multidisciplinary skills. Given its livestock population, its biodiversity, and its burgeoning scientific expertise, Brazil is expected to be a major contributor to the resolution of food security problems in coming years.