Cultured Meat. Will you eat it?

No, definitely not. I don’t eat anything processed so wouldn’t consider cultured products.

When you are hearing now of the damage ultra processed foods (UPF) are doing to our health, bringing in this kind of product seems counter productive.

Well I dont think its draconian, it sounds sensible for our health MayBee

But I suppose it doesnt go far enough to address the problems of land use, and all the other savings mentioned up thread.

I know it sounds a bit draconian but it’s a pity there can’t be a wartime like restriction on the amount of meat a family can buy.

Sarah Gilbert and Cath Green (virologists), along with many others have predicted (and continue to do so) that animal to human transmission of viruses from intensive farming practices are highly likely to occur in the future.

It seems to me that cultured meat could help to eradicate some of the threat.

We don’t eat nearly so much meat any more, and when we do it’s strictly free range/UK only, but I’d probably give the cultured stuff a try. Same as I’ve tried vegan ‘sausages’ at dd’s house. They were passable but I wouldn’t buy them myself.

X posts annodomini

I believe Qourn is fermented fungus OnwardandUpward I think.

Quorn doesn't claim to be a meat substitute, though it is included in a number of products like burgers and sausages. It takes on the flavour of the ingredients with which it is prepared. Just like tofu, from that point of view. It's not cultured from animal cells but from micro-fungi. I don't pretend to know the science, but animals are certainly not involved.

Minimoon has posted the ins and outs of the manufacture up thread OnwardandUpward.

The nutritional benefits are the same as for farmed meat.

The savings come from not wasting the planets resources raising animals, discarding some parts as waste, transporting them hither thither, stopping deforestation for a mono produce which will be beneficial only to first world countries.

By 2050 the world will have 3 billion more people to feed clothe water ect.
A way to do that has to be engineered, and if eating cultured meat is a way forward, plus all the savings for the planet that might be had, I could see myself buying it.

Isn't culturing how Quorn is made? Apparently Quorn is banned in Canada for not meeting their nutritional requirements for a meat substitute. I wonder how the cultured meat will fare nutritionally?

I would like to know what the nutritional benefits are and also I do think it would be good to have meat without suffering. I wonder how many vegans and veggies would eat meat if it was produced without suffering?

MiniMoon

Cultured meat isn't artificial, it is grown from the cells of real living animals.
Cultured Beef is created by painlessly harvesting muscle cells from a living cow. Scientists then feed and nurture the cells so they multiply to create muscle tissue, which is the main component of the meat we eat. It is biologically exactly the same as the meat tissue that comes from a cow.

I would eat it, without any qualms whatsoever.

If it means not killing or ill treating animals, then I'd give it a go.

The above reply is for greenlady 11.21!

There are ways of using the land **. Such as aquaponics aeroponics and hydroponics.

It isnt necessary to use the earth itself to produce vegetables anymore.
Land that is difficult using older conventional methods, can now be converted cheaply and easily to producing veg for the local market. Or any market. Selling locally makes more sense though.

I dont understand why it the farming community hasnt revolutionised the way it runs itself.
Given that micro farming (using the methods mentioned above) are cheap and available?
Perhaps someone on GN knows the answer?

I agree with you about dairy products. As it stands I know of no replacement.
Maybe we have to compromise over dairy. Until there is.

But it shouldnt stop farmers or small holders from looking to the future of their industry, as I fear for their livelihood if they dont.

Sorry greenlady102, I knew you weren't using that as an argument, apologies if it came across that I was arguing with you!

Whitewavemark2

After the glimpse of what I saw yesterday I might consider it, although it does have the yuk factor, but maybe we should get over it and stop sentient beings suffering.

I'd never heard of it before this thread, but I'm with Whitewavemark2 - if it stops sentient beings suffering then it's all good to me.

Alegrias1

greenlady102

PS I know that Gransnet folk aren't so silly but loads of people do think that an increase in vegetarian/vegan living will mean all the cows and sheep will live free lives until they die of old age....they won't!
The other thing that I wonder what will happen to the areas of the Uk which are managed by grazing? It can happen now because the grazing animals are privately owned. Owners pay a fee to graze their animals and they are then sold for meat/wool/ leather and so on. Do vegans wear wool? Sheep are bred to have specific coats that are heavier than they would be naturally so I would think that wool would fall within the embargoed list?

The cows and sheep won't be living lovely lives in the country. They won't exist in the first place.

I don't expect it will happen tomorrow, eating less meat would be phased in. The argument about what will happen to all the animals is a red herring.

If you excuse the pun

yes I know its a red herring and I am not making the argument....I have seen it said though and by people who appeared quite sensible. The managed areas thing is more of an issue, not an argument against but something that needs to be addressed as part of the transition.

greenlady102

PS I know that Gransnet folk aren't so silly but loads of people do think that an increase in vegetarian/vegan living will mean all the cows and sheep will live free lives until they die of old age....they won't!
The other thing that I wonder what will happen to the areas of the Uk which are managed by grazing? It can happen now because the grazing animals are privately owned. Owners pay a fee to graze their animals and they are then sold for meat/wool/ leather and so on. Do vegans wear wool? Sheep are bred to have specific coats that are heavier than they would be naturally so I would think that wool would fall within the embargoed list?

The cows and sheep won't be living lovely lives in the country. They won't exist in the first place.

I don't expect it will happen tomorrow, eating less meat would be phased in. The argument about what will happen to all the animals is a red herring.

If you excuse the pun

Sounds fishy!!

PS I know that Gransnet folk aren't so silly but loads of people do think that an increase in vegetarian/vegan living will mean all the cows and sheep will live free lives until they die of old age....they won't!
The other thing that I wonder what will happen to the areas of the Uk which are managed by grazing? It can happen now because the grazing animals are privately owned. Owners pay a fee to graze their animals and they are then sold for meat/wool/ leather and so on. Do vegans wear wool? Sheep are bred to have specific coats that are heavier than they would be naturally so I would think that wool would fall within the embargoed list?

Namsnanny

The main reason behind its introduction, I believe isnt to give vegans or vegetarians the chance to eat meat that doesnt harm any animal, although important.

The financial returns wouldn't outway the investment in that case.

As I understand it it is to make a valid attempt to release land that would otherwise be used to grow vegetables (aubergines?) Or rear animals for export in the third world.
Thereby allowing those people to more easily
feed themselves.

With the population of Africa and India increasing, they have to be fed somehow.

The co2 emissions, and the savings to be made (for the planet), from rearing, transporting, packaging, oil etc. are huge.

Not forgetting the benefit to the animals of course.

I think that much of the land, at least in the Uk, that is used for meat production is not suitable for agricultural use; and of the land that could be suitable, much of it would need massive irrigation and fertilisation so not a total saving. I think the same applies to the USA too and possibly also Australia. I understand there would be emissions savings though and of course the welfare aspect is important. I am not sure why vegans would refuse it as it wouldn't be misusing animals?
I do wonder what will happen about dairy products? It would be great to have a real alternative to those. I have tried plant milks and vegan dairy and I have to say I am not impressed.

I have no problem with eating cultured meat but will it insist that I invest in silver cutlery.

It sounds a great way of increasing the availability of meat without increasing animal farming.

I don’t think anyone who watched Seaspiracy will eat fish again to be honest, annodomini namsnanny my daughter and granddaughter stopped as soon as they had seen it they had already stopped eating meat but that pushed them over the comfort zone for sure

Luckygirl

I eat no red meat but do eat poultry and fish.

I would not have a problem with cultured meat - it sounds as though it will be an asset to the planet and reduce animal slaughter.

Thats roughly my point of view Luckygirl

I know it all sounds a bit weird, to grow meat, (which is actual meat not some manufactured imitation) in a lab.
But basically it is more safe (with regards to hygiene or cross contamination BSE or use of hormones etc.) than animal meat.

As you said though, and IMV if it is an asset to the planet and reduces animal slaughter then it should be given due consideration, and not just flung aside with a knee jerk reaction.

No I’ve been a strict veggie for the past 40 years and like ElderlyPerson I don’t touch vegan food made to look like meat.