Looks like the same guys were doing publicity around 2019 https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-07-30/australia-joins-lab-grown-meat-industry/11360506
At the time, they claimed the cost to make a single hamburger was $30-$40, and now 4 years later, they claim to have gotten it down to $5-$6 per patty.
The article claims the first demonstration of a lab-grown hamburger was in 2013.
So 6 years from proof of concept to (probably) first capital raise, then 4 years to start regulatory approval, 1 year for approval to take place (target is March next year).
Interestingly, the US conservatives have been attacking lab-grown meat lately. So expect similar attacks to start showing up here soon.
Personally I would love to have more alternatives. I enjoy trying out alternative protein sources, not for ideological reasons. I just enjoy flavours and textures. And if they happen to be better for the environment, well bonus!
Interestingly, the US conservatives have been attacking lab-grown meat lately. So expect similar attacks to start showing up here soon.
I recall reading a few years ago that the National Farmers Fed were lobbying the Coalition govt to legislate the definition of meat. IIRC this was in response to plant based just substitutes, but they probably also had lab meat in mind as well. I can’t find source on this though.
I want to know if this Vow company uses Fetal Bovine Serum in its cell growth process. Last I read, there were alternatives being developed, but I don’t know how advanced they are now.
I would only have a reason to try this stuff if it’s genuinely slaughter free.
I’m willing to give it a shot depending on the price. Last I heard lab grown meats were unpalatable because it was all lean meat. I do remember reading they were getting around that by 3D printing with meat and fat layers but it was still very cost prohibitive.
Sure, instead of replacing some meat with lentils in my Bolognese sauce, this sounds better. But if it’s now being engineered, who knows if they can make something better than steak eventually? If an AI can fold proteins and invent new drugs, maybe there’s a new frontier of designer beef cuts.
I agree with everything you said, and I want to add;
As long as lab grown meat is approved for consumption, the methods of producing it can be made more and more environmentally friendly. It's a matter of regulation+development.
The “incredibly environmentally unfriendly” bit, as I understand it, is just related to the amount of energy needed to power the labs growing the meat. It assumes this energy is being generated from non-renewable sources, which makes this a very solvable problem.
Add comment