Horizon scanning is intended to identify the opportunities and threats associated with technological, regulatory and social change. In 2017 some of the present authors conducted a horizon scan for bioengineering (Wintle et al., 2017). Here we report the results of a new horizon scan that is based on inputs from a larger and more international group of participants. The final list of 20 issues includes topics that range from 'crops for changing climates' to 'the governance of cognitive enhancement'. The early identification of such issues is relevant to researchers, policy-makers and the wider public.