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Lab Grown Meat... would you?
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't understand the aversion. It's meat, not a chemically manufactured alternative. Real muscle cells from real animals. It had a face, but that face wasn't slaughtered is all the difference.
I do wonder how nutrition would be affected, though. Livestock use feed, and that feed somewhat affects nutrition. Would the growing media be considered "feed" and affect nutrition as well? How would the fact that these sells have not been used the typical way muscle cells are used affect things? What about fat cells, which often give slaughtered meat its distinct flavor? Would they, at one point, start growing fat cells as well to fine tune the flavor? Would they "exercise" the meat, or can the electric stimulation be considered exercise? I'm more fascinated and curious than anything.
All great points! And why I mentioned in my post that my reasons for not wanting to eat it are rooted in the imaginings of a science fiction fan. To my over-active imagination, the fact that we are capable of doing this can lead to some pretty scary, fever-dream induced scenarios. But putting that aside, the fact that we can do this is kind of awesome. And if this lab-meat ends up feeding hungry or malnourished people in areas where protein sources are difficult to raise, OR if it leads to us being able to use any agricultural land more efficiently, someone deserves a Nobel prize or something for it.
To anyone concerned by the inhumane treatment of some animals used for food, or to the environmental cost of all the land and crops used to raise livestock, this could be huge. And now I'm super curious to see what the taste and texture is like!1 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't understand the aversion. It's meat, not a chemically manufactured alternative. Real muscle cells from real animals. It had a face, but that face wasn't slaughtered is all the difference.
I do wonder how nutrition would be affected, though. Livestock use feed, and that feed somewhat affects nutrition. Would the growing media be considered "feed" and affect nutrition as well? How would the fact that these sells have not been used the typical way muscle cells are used affect things? What about fat cells, which often give slaughtered meat its distinct flavor? Would they, at one point, start growing fat cells as well to fine tune the flavor? Would they "exercise" the meat, or can the electric stimulation be considered exercise? I'm more fascinated and curious than anything.
All great points! And why I mentioned in my post that my reasons for not wanting to eat it are rooted in the imaginings of a science fiction fan. To my over-active imagination, the fact that we are capable of doing this can lead to some pretty scary, fever-dream induced scenarios. But putting that aside, the fact that we can do this is kind of awesome. And if this lab-meat ends up feeding hungry or malnourished people in areas where protein sources are difficult to raise, OR if it leads to us being able to use any agricultural land more efficiently, someone deserves a Nobel prize or something for it.
To anyone concerned by the inhumane treatment of some animals used for food, or to the environmental cost of all the land and crops used to raise livestock, this could be huge. And now I'm super curious to see what the taste and texture is like!
Huh, I didn't even think about that part. If peoples meat aversion is truly often one of ethics, this could end up pissing off a lot of faux-meat manufacturers as well. xD1 -
I'd have to wait about 1 or 2 generations to see if it had negative biological effects on humans when it was consumed. Unfortunately I'd be dead by the time the data came in...
Also bland = sad. And I wouldn't buy it unless it was cheaper than meat I can already buy.5 -
It will probably seem a more attractive option when the meat we are now used to eating is no longer available (I believe that is coming by the end of my life time at least)
I find it interesting that someone said they found it disturbing because it never had a face or a mother, I find the slaughter and inhumane conditions that animals with faces are kept in now to be more disturbing.5 -
Even as a man of science, this just strikes me as kind of disgusting. In all honesty, after a number of documentaries (and, let's face it, just considering the production of meat as an industry, which is a pretty gargantuan usage of water and creator of greenhouse gasses... the number one creator, I believe), I'm basically on the verge of becoming vegetarian, anyway. And this from a guy who swore he never would, if for nothing else than the excellent source of protein and delicious taste!0
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Gallowmere1984 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't understand the aversion. It's meat, not a chemically manufactured alternative. Real muscle cells from real animals. It had a face, but that face wasn't slaughtered is all the difference.
I do wonder how nutrition would be affected, though. Livestock use feed, and that feed somewhat affects nutrition. Would the growing media be considered "feed" and affect nutrition as well? How would the fact that these sells have not been used the typical way muscle cells are used affect things? What about fat cells, which often give slaughtered meat its distinct flavor? Would they, at one point, start growing fat cells as well to fine tune the flavor? Would they "exercise" the meat, or can the electric stimulation be considered exercise? I'm more fascinated and curious than anything.
All great points! And why I mentioned in my post that my reasons for not wanting to eat it are rooted in the imaginings of a science fiction fan. To my over-active imagination, the fact that we are capable of doing this can lead to some pretty scary, fever-dream induced scenarios. But putting that aside, the fact that we can do this is kind of awesome. And if this lab-meat ends up feeding hungry or malnourished people in areas where protein sources are difficult to raise, OR if it leads to us being able to use any agricultural land more efficiently, someone deserves a Nobel prize or something for it.
To anyone concerned by the inhumane treatment of some animals used for food, or to the environmental cost of all the land and crops used to raise livestock, this could be huge. And now I'm super curious to see what the taste and texture is like!
Huh, I didn't even think about that part. If peoples meat aversion is truly often one of ethics, this could end up pissing off a lot of faux-meat manufacturers as well. xD
Yes, their business may take a bit of a hit, but may not be as big as one would expect. Some may convert back to eating meat, but this is still technically taking advantage of an animal so some vegans may be harder to sway. Plus habits are hard to break. Even those who decide to they are okay with the process, they may still prefer their familiar foods. Some people have been at it for so long they've lost their taste for meat. Faux meat products would still be in demand, at least for a while.
As for the taste, the whole thing is still an early project. I'm sure something will be done about that in the future. I remember trying my uncle's protein powder 25 years ago, it has come a long way.0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Gallowmere1984 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't understand the aversion. It's meat, not a chemically manufactured alternative. Real muscle cells from real animals. It had a face, but that face wasn't slaughtered is all the difference.
I do wonder how nutrition would be affected, though. Livestock use feed, and that feed somewhat affects nutrition. Would the growing media be considered "feed" and affect nutrition as well? How would the fact that these sells have not been used the typical way muscle cells are used affect things? What about fat cells, which often give slaughtered meat its distinct flavor? Would they, at one point, start growing fat cells as well to fine tune the flavor? Would they "exercise" the meat, or can the electric stimulation be considered exercise? I'm more fascinated and curious than anything.
All great points! And why I mentioned in my post that my reasons for not wanting to eat it are rooted in the imaginings of a science fiction fan. To my over-active imagination, the fact that we are capable of doing this can lead to some pretty scary, fever-dream induced scenarios. But putting that aside, the fact that we can do this is kind of awesome. And if this lab-meat ends up feeding hungry or malnourished people in areas where protein sources are difficult to raise, OR if it leads to us being able to use any agricultural land more efficiently, someone deserves a Nobel prize or something for it.
To anyone concerned by the inhumane treatment of some animals used for food, or to the environmental cost of all the land and crops used to raise livestock, this could be huge. And now I'm super curious to see what the taste and texture is like!
Huh, I didn't even think about that part. If peoples meat aversion is truly often one of ethics, this could end up pissing off a lot of faux-meat manufacturers as well. xD
Yes, their business may take a bit of a hit, but may not be as big as one would expect. Some may convert back to eating meat, but this is still technically taking advantage of an animal so some vegans may be harder to sway. Plus habits are hard to break. Even those who decide to they are okay with the process, they may still prefer their familiar foods. Some people have been at it for so long they've lost their taste for meat. Faux meat products would still be in demand, at least for a while.
As for the taste, the whole thing is still an early project. I'm sure something will be done about that in the future. I remember trying my uncle's protein powder 25 years ago, it has come a long way.
Oh definitely. I have heard comments from many old school lifters like "you could tell you had a good quality protein by how close it got you to puking. If it tasted good, it was probably loaded to hell with sugar".0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't understand the aversion.
can't speak for others; for me it's a creepiness/dissonance thing.Real muscle cells from real animals.
that's my [brain's] problem. muscle cells but no brain. living tissue but . . . not?It had a face, but that face wasn't slaughtered is all the difference.
honestly, i'm not bothered by the idea that animals die. never have been. it seems normal to me. in a weird way, maybe it's the fact that this stuff is 'alive' in some in-between meta-ish sense, and then we eat it . . . without killing it . . .
that actually could be where the creepiness starts creeping in.1 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »I don't understand the aversion. It's meat, not a chemically manufactured alternative. Real muscle cells from real animals. It had a face, but that face wasn't slaughtered is all the difference.
I do wonder how nutrition would be affected, though. Livestock use feed, and that feed somewhat affects nutrition. Would the growing media be considered "feed" and affect nutrition as well? How would the fact that these sells have not been used the typical way muscle cells are used affect things? What about fat cells, which often give slaughtered meat its distinct flavor? Would they, at one point, start growing fat cells as well to fine tune the flavor? Would they "exercise" the meat, or can the electric stimulation be considered exercise? I'm more fascinated and curious than anything.
The feed would affect flavor as well, I would think. My husband raves about the taste of Welsh lamb - they eat lush green grass and herbs (nice wet climate).0 -
Grass fed1
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There are (non-sentient) bivalves that can be 'farmed' vertically on ropes. Double bonus, the ecological impact of these filter feeders is actually an improvement! No lab meat for me.0
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Of course the cost will come down and it will taste better as the process and technology develops. It will also seem commonplace eventually. Still, it's pretty creepy right now.1
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I have a debate in a few weeks on this exact topic! There's lots of opinions either way, but personally, I wouldn't eat it because I don't like meat.0
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I'd DEFINITELY eat it.
Then again: I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons who always loved the taste/texture of meat. I don't eat it because I have moral qualms about it. So the idea of getting to have that lovely taste and texture without having to harm or kill any animals? HELL YES GET IT IN MY BELLY.6 -
Lab grown meat? Yes I'd definately try it. Most interesting development0
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MsChucktowski wrote: »I have a debate in a few weeks on this exact topic! There's lots of opinions either way, but personally, I wouldn't eat it because I don't like meat.
That's pretty cool. What side will you be arguing? What format / level is this debate?0 -
...also I just want to let you all know that I started thinking of lab-meat and now I'm having BBQ-daydreams. So I think the question we (and by "we" I mean this meat-taste-lovin'-ethical-veggie) need to ask is: when can it get out of my dreams and into my local store 'cause the sun is shining in my office window and it's gonna be summer here any week now and damnit, I want something sizzly.3
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Never in my life.2
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Never say never. There have been times where people NEVER thought they would need to change due to current circumstances, but they can change. Back in the early 1900's, did they ever think that women would have the same rights and opportunities as men? Or that we would fly to different continents within a few hours?Never in my life.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I'd eat it I think.0
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