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Question Of The Day #10

michaelnatkin

Would you eat meat that was grown in a vat? Why or why not?

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Comments

reck.harm

As far as i'm concerned growing meat without a brain isn't that far off from cultivating plants, So if it's proven to be safe healthwise, sure why not. But unless it's at least the same quality and price as conventionally mass produced meat, i don't really see the point, besides the possibility to put a real meat vegan steak on the menu.

Rich_McDonough_67546

If it tasted good and was safe (but we'd only know that 20 years later...) sure, but it raises some interesting questions about WHAT would they grow and how would it affect cookery as we know it. Nose to tail eating has become trendy again in the past few years but no one will grow a trotter or a snout, it'll likely just be 'prime cuts' i.e. all the pieces that look least like an animal, are convenient and not necessarily the tastiest. Could be a little dull...

Brendan_Lee_56950

I'd probably try it but honestly I think the money that is being spent to try and create what will most assuredly be an inferior product could totally be spent on an actual food related problem rather than something so contrived. I just don't see the point in making something like that.

Jane_SnP_113293

It's the same thing when you ask: Would you eat a hamburger if it were made without killing a cow? But, I...would try it because I'm curious how it taste.

I read a blog that Vat-grown meat would also be safer and more healthful than today’s meat! There are so many health problems associated with farmed meat. In addition to worrying about antibiotics, steroids and contamination, meat has a very high saturated fat content. But with tissue culture, it can be reduced or even replace it with a healthier fat. And people wouldn’t have to worry about mad cow disease or avian flu.

michaelnatkin

I try the new vegan cheeses every few years when someone insists there is a great one now, and every time I think they are inedible. Maybe someday!

Chris_Kolbu_16712

I absolutely would, provided it was shown not to have any ill effects. I am limiting my meat intake to a couple of times per week as it is (helped by a pescatarian partner).

We owe it to future generations and the planet to reign in our overconsumption of resources and land. "Artificial" meat production will have the greatest impact of anything we could do, as the land and water requirements for livestock is fantastically high.

My only hope is that the textures and flavours of different cuts of meat will be offered. Having "real" meat be a luxury—as it has been for most of history, and still is for a large portion of the planet—is a reality we will have to adjust to without viable artificial meat.

DiggingDogFarm_65362

No, probably not, for the same reason I don't like fake cheese, faux butter, non-dairy creamer, fake whipped cream (Cool Whip and the like), imitation crab, fake maple syrup, etc. etc. etc.

Matt_67991

That's fine! I just asked because I read that post. I used to be poverty-vegetarian, but now eat meat a couple of times a week.

I once discussed this vegan cheese thing

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/real-vegan-cheese

with a vegan who totally wasn't on board with it. I do think it would be cool for other types of protein synthesis. Like if they made a vegan gelatin!

michaelnatkin

I'm honestly very torn. My main reason for being vegetarian is that I can't kill animals, so I don't want anyone else doing it for me. So from that point of view, there really isn't any reason I shouldn't. And I'm assuming for the sake of argument that it has been thoroughly tested and is safe and is better (or at least no worse) for the environment than current practices.

But on the other hand... I don't think I really *want* to. I have a lot of respect for the world we have, and of course we've shaped it tremendously. To me this might just be a step too far.

It certainly is a queasy subject.

jaypmatic

Might be, diffenrence in the taste might bring me to like it.

Nick_14981

I'd have to trust the idea, safety and concept, but I'll try pretty much anything.

Aaron_Adams_33830

I would try it. To be honest, though, It doesn't sound that appealing. I've been eating a vegan diet for 10 years now, and it's not because I'm repelled by eating flesh, but rather as a boycott against the absolutely treacherous conditions of modern agriculture. So, on one hand, lab grown meat has an appeal whereas I get my meat cake and can eat it, too. On the other hand, it just seems kinda' gross. And how would it simulate the flavor of meat that was raised on eating a particular feed? It won't be like grain fed or grass fed meat, which have distinctive flavors. It won't be like apple fed hogs, or kobe...it will just be like Iodized Salt compared to Fleur de Sel. Only much worse I imagine.

Patrik_Racz_19800

NO. i for one enjoy gathering the ingredients from quality sources. if i need meat i go to a proper butcher for grass fed meat or anything natural. if i need fish i go to the best fishmonger i can find. if i need vegetables i go to a farm place that sells awesome natural vegetables. for me it is important to know that the animal or vegetable was raised properly, with NO chemicals involved.i appreciate all the people who sacrifice so much to supply us with awesome quality products, and i think when i cook with proper ingredients i have that inner feeling of respect for the ingredients and the feeling that i cant screw this up. i think most cooks have some sort of connection with the product they use, and if i would use meat thats not natural in any way, i would lose that connection and passion for quality, and then i wouldnt see any point to cook again.

tshewman

Try it? Perhaps, include it as part of a regular diet etc? Unlikely without rigorous testing. It's one thing to say an chemical equivalent, it's another to see if that "equivalent" is equally safe and the body's digestive systems respond precisely in the manner as the animal is was modeled after. One being without a brain disallows the natural metabolic systems to work in order to grow in a natural manner (be it imperfect). Interesting topic however.

Sandy_Kraus_Smith_114433

Absolutely. It could eliminate factory farming, and the extreme suffering of billions of animals, in the future!!! GO FOR IT! We are already creating ears, organs and other things for people from stem cells. Nothing at all wrong with this. As a matter of fact, I believe its the right thing to do!

Manfred_18311

I‘ve always consider the creature the meat was taking from if I’m on buying resources to cook with. It has lead me to look for quality products, quality products request a more careful handling of farmed animals and thus its far different from the industrial scale meat production, this comes to a price I’m willing to pay; 20%, 50%, 150% and even more for meat products if the species is raised and slaughtered under deliberated conditions. As for now cultivated meat was recognized in public tasting as meat taste like product with the absent of any fat, if I remember correctly 2013 the first lab burger was cooked to a public audience in London with mixed reactions tipping towards a positive.

Anyways, it will not be possible to recreate the structure of meat of living animals, the fine web of fat layers within the meat, the different structure of the various cuts; it will remain uniform in structure, look and taste. So I fairly know what I can expect and it's opposite to waht I'm looking for when eating meat. Perhaps burgers and other products (chicken breast) could be lab raised, lasting for a longer storage time comparedto fresh minced meat.

Since raised in a lab much of the medical additives found in industrial farmed meat products such as antibiotics (close quarter chicken farming) and growth hormones in beef and pig would become obsolete.

Seriouse issues and misdirection’s in industrial animal farming could vanish if the consumer would be satisfied enough with a rather taste and structure uniform product.

In resume it’s a type of production worth to pursue for a wider benefit, but still…, thinking of it reminds me in a way on “Soylent Green”.

seijoed

Sure. If it tastes good and can be cooked nicely. Soylent Green seems too depressing for me.

michaelnatkin

Ah, sorry, I meant meat grown without a brain, like in an industrial biochem system. Let's say for sake of argument that they are a perfect emulation of chicken, cow or pig, but with no nervous system, so the issue of humane treatment is completely gone.

malte.evers

What's a vat? Anything specific to the US?

Seth_Ratner_91225

Yup. As long as it doesn't pose a health risk, I'll try anything twice. Fluid gels, meat glue, enzymes... we eat a bunch of science everyday anyways.

Cheryl_Meechan_114418

No not at all I'm vegetarian

Pepijn_31744

Would love to. Especially considering the massive amount of resources it takes to maintain our daily supply of meat. I'm sure a 'vat' would be more efficient in the long run.

Matt_67991

If it tastes good. But would you Michael?

coleleighw

my only question is "does it taste good".... i probably would if it tasted great....

FrankM_3301

I think terrior matters. It is not always convenient...or even possible to eat a locally and/or naturally produced products, but I am convinced that flavor is better in these situations. As an omnivore, I would not take giving up meat lightly. So, I would generally avoid the product you are alluding to, however if it were my only option, I would probably avoid meat altogether.

matthew.snyder77

I don't think I would prefer it as the go-to option, but I don't have any inherent objections. Honestly, I don't know enough about the tech to be articulate.