To ask if you would eat "lab-grown" meat

[PrivateVasquez]

Article here for anyone who doesn't know what it is: www.scientificamerican.com/article/lab-grown-meat/

It seems to be getting closer and closer to reality, and even if you think it's still a long way off, let's assume for the sake of this conversation that it's available and competitively priced within the next decade or two.

If it tastes the same but it's cultured in a lab/factory, would you switch to it from traditional meat sources? It involves almost zero cruelty to animals and obviously will be vastly better for the environment, but I've seen lots of people turn their noses up like it's disgusting because of the way it's produced (despite eating lots of processed foods made in factories!)

What do you think?

I'd do it like a shot! I've been waiting for it since I was a teenager - I remember thinking if they could grow skin cells in labs they should be able to grow muscles, maybe with electricity pulsing to exercise it. I had it all worked out!

Only thing that would put me off is if it there was heavy power consumption that wasn't being met from sustainable sources.

Definately. Can't wait until it's freely available, and until it becomes mainstream.

I wouldn't eat it but then I don't eat meat for a multitude of reasons, the ethics of it being only one of them.

However, I do think this is a fantastic concept and I don't see any real objections that can't be overcome. People can be a bit squeamish about anything not natural but I think this will become mainstream quite quickly and then standard soon after. Any squeamish reactions will probably be initial and not permanent.

Yep, no problem.

I’d rather eat lab-grown meat than insects which are also being promoted as the next big food-source.

Yes I probably would assuming the environmental impact was low enough. I went veggie for ethical reasons. I have a restricted diet for medical reasons so I haven't pushed on to being vegan. It was never about not liking meat or fish.

No I wouldn't be putting hard working farmers put of jobs. Plus if the farms go more houses will be built and the countryside ruined. It's a no from me ( a sheep farmer)

I'd rather be vegetarian.

I wouldn’t. But it will probably be the norm for our great grandchildren

I wouldn’t.

But why not?

Yes 100%. Presuming the environmental impact of growing it would be less than farming.

Would still buy meat from local free range sources too.

No, I wouldn’t trust that it had the same nutritional content as meat from animals, particularly pastured animals. I don’t really like meat all that much, and I only eat modest amounts for nutrition alone.

I also wonder if lab grown meat could have a detrimental effect on gut bacteria. And I wonder how much energy/chemical inputs it would require, and if it would really be all that better for the environment.

Interesting! I’m a vegetarian now but always enjoyed the taste of meat when I ate it. If laboratory meat was cruelty free and didn’t have a devastating environmental impact I would certainly consider it.

Yep. I'm on board. And I usually like to wait s while before trying anything new, just in case (eg laser eye surgery - wanted to be clear about the risks).

I wouldn't exclusively but I'd certainly be up for it.

yes definitely! Cruelty free meat would be brilliant