Test Tube Meat

[Spidermonkey]

Hi Everyone,

This article was in the news today about a scientist who has found a way to grow meat from stem cells. He says it is more environmentally friendly than conventional farming and his work has been well received by animal rights advocates. As laudable as all this sounds, I can't help feeling uneasy about it. However if it is safe it could be a fantastic solution to feeding an ever increasing population. I suppose one danger is it could normalise the practice of corporations creating artificial food? What are your thoughts?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2103472/Test-tube-burgers-hit-kitchens-year-scientists-create-meat-taste-quarter-pounder.html

[annette]

Yes I saw that on the ABC news this morning. Doesn't look too tasty but who knows might just do the trick.

[labradel]

hi this news has me scared s....less where will all this artificial stuff end, we have natural systems to do all this and they do it very well !

[Grahame]

The whole idea is absurd, abhorrent and deplorable.

[eco4560]

I wonder how much oil energy it takes to make one kg?

[labradel]

a lot more than a grass fed cow i bet

[Spidermonkey]

Hi Guys,

Grahame, I agree with you this sounds like a piece of 1984style sci-fi. But to play devil’s advocate, some predict the Earth will reach apopulation of 9 billion by 2050. Economists feel that the increased demand for meat will drive prices upbeyond the reach of many working class people around the world. So is it abetter alternative to famine given that the amount of viable agricultural landis decreasing faster than it can be rebuilt?

Not that I support artificial food but what are the alternatives if it is the only way to keep up with increasing global demand?

[labradel]

maybe a reduction of the population is a better stategy than to try to produce meat in this manner

[TheDirtSurgeon]

Sounds like Soylent Green....

Spidermonkey, it's a good question, but I'd have to say no, it's not better. Feeding a famine with minimum rations only serves to prolong the misery, as food aid to Africa and other parts of the world has repeatedly shown.

On the other hand... rumors abound of some elite conspiracy to control the population. I hear tell of vaccinations handed out in Third World countries that accidentally -- or "accidentally" -- cause sterility. True or not, I don't know. But maybe a bad plan is better than no plan. I guess that's playing devil's advocate too.

[annette]

Most of the processed food for sale is crap already. This just adds to the pile of tripe being dished up as food. Even artificial sweetener, aspartame, is made from the faeces of bacteria. On the bright side I think it will just push people into appreciating real food and maybe start growing and eating their own produce. I really don't know how the population is going to be fed in the future, I think many will go hungry.