The rise of the antibiotic “superbugs” such as MRSA and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, and recent viral pandemics are all examples of the threats posed to human health by infectious disease. These impact severely on our crops and livestock, significantly increasing the challenges associated with sustaining food security on a global scale. In this lecture, Professor Ed Feil (Milner Centre for Evolution) reflects on how our current situation compares with our recent history and the scale of the challenges ahead.