Increases in food production may temporarily alleviate the problem, but it is mathematically certain that they cannot be a long-term solution; indeed, like the medical advances that have precipitated the crisis, they may well make the problem worse, by speeding up the rate of the population expansion.

precipitate (v) 1: separate as a fine suspension of solid particles 2: bring about abruptly 3: fall from clouds [syn: come down, fall] 4: fall vertically, sharply, or headlong 5: hurl or throw violently – source: The Selfish Gene, p. 111