You know I think that test tube meat is a terrible waste of resources that could better be spent elsewhere – not least of which because it’s not even ethically neutral, considering that they must forcibly take tissues from captive animals in order to try to cultivate the cells in vitro. That’s along with my concerns about the amount of chemicals, electricity and money that go in to maintaining laboratories – all of which could be better used for more pressing problems like helping us through this climate crush. (What is urgently needed is investment so solar and other techologies can become economically competitive with petrol, coal and nuclear power – companies and people are not going to willingly lose profit, and the capitalist machine grinds on inexorably, so we have to make eco-friendly the superior option if we want to drastically reduce emissions NOW. If the technology is superior the market will adopt it – just think of the investment that went in to making cell phones, and how that’s swept the world. We as a society can’t do the same with solar power?)
Also, why are we trying to give people a justification for eating flesh when we know there are health problems with meat consumption, and that eating fruits and vegetables in high proportion along with nuts, seeds, beans, etc. is a healthful, safe, and less harmful way of eating?
Here’s more proof from Europe, way ahead of the curve as usual, as a small company perfects a meat substitute that has the moist, chewy, flaky texture that many of us love, without any of the ethical quandaries, expense, or environmental impact of laboratory-grown flesh. It can be made from wheat, peas, lupin beans or soybeans, showing that allergy concerns can be addressed. They say the texture is perfect, they just need to perfect the taste, and it should be done by next year.
And eating ‘lower on the food chain’ means freeing up resources for some of the rest of the billions of humans on earth, since eating plants directly is much more efficient than feeding those plants to animals, who use it for their own locomotion and body functions before having their lives taken away for the sake of our plates.
Forgive my run-on sentences. I’m just in that sort of moood. Here’s the link:
Factory can make meat substitute by the mile
The last two posts were brought to my attention through the Friends of Animals’ mailing list.
I agree completely. Here’s hoping the European meat substitute will eventually be available in the US.
Thanks Ellie! Good point … I hope it makes it to North American markets too!!
Veggie meat like Quorn, Lightlife, etc. is so much better than real meat. I’ve fallen off the wagon a few times with meat, but always end up back with these great veggie alternatives. Test tube meat, though better than real meat of course, does sound pretty awful. I heard something the other day and thought of your blog — it is about the pink slime in meat. Just google “pink slime beef.” ugh. I meant to ask you last year — how did your quinoa growing go? Last summer got away from me and I wasn’t active on the blogging front (writing or reading).
Hi 1veggie! Thanks for your comment.
The quinoa was stunted, purple, and wilting on itself within a few months. It never produced seed. I don’t know what didn’t suit it – too much rain? The amaranth on the other hand had an abundant yield (which I still haven’t threshed or eaten any). Oh, last summer got away from me too, I know what you mean!
This year’s experiment: short-season PEANUTS! I’ll keep you updated.
Agreed! Thanks for the link – glad to hear that there are more 100% vegetable options in the works.
We enjoy making our own seitan; it’s great to be able to customize the flavor and texture. We don’t make it just like meat though; as long-term vegans those realistic mock meats can get a bit creepy. They’re great for people just exploring veganism or a vegan diet though, so kudos to companies like Fraunhofer Institute for making such things available!