Examples Of Agonizing Over In-Vitro Meat

Opinion: Agonizing over In-Vitro meat

Although we may consider laboratory grown meat as a modern phenomenon, Winston Churchill's essay 'Fifty Years Hence" first brought the concept to public awareness in 1932 [Huffington Post, 2013]. Nonetheless, technological limitations stopped further progress at this time. With the start of the 21st century, a better understanding of stem cells swept away these major stumbling blocks and research started to produce progressive results. Finally, on August 5th, 2013 the first lab grown burger was cooked during a conference [CNN News, 2013], since then In-Vitro meat has been spotlighted as the only and the best solution for the future food shortage. However, huge counterblasts do exist and some even satirize

The current industry produces 228 million tons of meat every year [Independent, 2013] and the numbers of animals being killed for the sake of meat production is uncountable. To solve this problem Veganism maybe the existing solution that creates immediate benefits [Huffington Post, 2013]. However, the question of whether or not humankind can metamorphose into a solely plant protein consuming organism is controversial as British primatologist, Wrangham states in his interview with The Guardian "The fact that people have an unusually strong tendency to enjoy meat is doubtless because of all the advantages it gave during human evolution"[2013]. In other words, it is quite obvious that mankind’s renunciation of omnivorous lifestyle is impossible, so in-vitro meat may be the best way to bring the best out of both. Nevertheless, there are some question marks due to the fact that egg and dairy production will still destroy the animal rights even after in-vitro meat is commercialized. However, regardless of these limitations, when the technology is fully developed, in-vitro meat will still be one alternative that will let humankind enjoy meat eating and reduce animal suffering at the same time [Ethical Futures; Bioscience and Food Horizons,

According to the Rio20 Conference, the concept of sustainability must include all social, economic and ecological effects [United Nations Office for Sustainable Development, UNOSD]. The United Nations approved that a sustainable society that includes all three mentioned factors must become every countries’ major aim [UNOSD]. However, the balance between society, economy and ecology is convoluted and, therefore, there have not been any successful cases. In-vitro meat is not yet a success, but it has been able to improve economic efficiency of meat production, reduce pollution and stop animal abuse. In other words, in-vitro meat is the one and only case that has kept successfully a balance between these three factors and will provide a good model for future generations. Clearly, it is alarming both governments and individuals that a sustainable future does not just fall from the sky, it can only be achieved when constant support is given with a delicate