Cis 1200 Group Discussion #2
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University of Guelph *
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Feb 20, 2024
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I disagree that lab-grown meats, in particular those made from genetically modified proteins, would usher in a "no-kill" society. While lab-grown meats show promise in multiple areas, the prospect of completely replacing traditional meat production raises several difficulties and issues. I will make arguments against the idea that lab-grown meats will result in a "no-kill" society in this conversation, emphasizing problems with viability, ethics, and unexpected effects.
To begin, the viability and scalability of the manufacturing of lab-grown meat present a considerable issue. Despite significant technological developments, the cost of production is still too high at the moment (Bhat et al
., 2021). It would be difficult to completely replace conventional meat production in the short term, especially with the widespread adoption of lab-
grown meats requiring significant infrastructure and research investment (Bhat et al
., 2021). Furthermore, lab-grown meats raise ethical questions, particularly about the origin of cell lines and the idea of cellular agriculture itself. It may be necessary to employ goods generated from animals or to sacrifice animals to develop cell lines for the production of meat (Laestadius
et al
., 2015). This calls into question the morality of producing meat using procedures that can still cause animal suffering, undermining the notion of a "no-kill" society (Laestadius et al
., 2015). Finally, the use of lab-grown meats to achieve a "no-kill" society might have unexpected repercussions. It can result in job losses in the traditional meat business, impacting people's lives.
Additionally, it might disturb ecosystems where livestock farming has long been practiced, which affects the local economy and biodiversity (Newton and Blaustein-Rejto, 2021). Therefore, there are difficulties and problems on the route to a "no-kill" society using genetically
altered proteins, such as lab-grown meats. There are several obstacles to overcome, including concerns about the transition's viability, ethics, and unforeseen consequences. It is doubtful that lab-grown meats will completely replace conventional meat production soon, despite their potential to build more ethical and ecological food systems.
References:
Bhat, Z. F., Kumar, S., & Fayaz, H. (2021). In vitro meat: A future protein-based animal-free food. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 61(2), 239-248. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2014.924899
Laestadius, L. I., Caldwell, M. A., & Wilkins, E. (2015). The role of advocacy in shaping public opinion on embryonic stem cell research and cloning: A case study of a university's decision to build a cloning research facility. PLoS ONE, 10(9), e0138152. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0138152
Newton, P., & Blaustein-Rejto, D. (2021). Social and Economic Opportunities and Challenges of
Plant-Based and Cultured Meat for Rural Producers in the US. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 624270. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.624270
Reply
Although your case for lab-grown meat as a strategy to move away from conventional meat production is strong, it's important to remember that the adoption of lab-grown meat has several issues that need to be resolved. First off, considering how you've brought up the ethical concerns with factory farming and how animals are treated, the idea that lab-grown meat may eventually replace the necessity of animals in food production is attractive. It's crucial to recognize that the widespread adoption of lab-grown beef will take time and a substantial investment in infrastructure, infrastructure development, and research (Francis, 2023). Therefore,
it might not be a quick fix to stop traditional meat manufacturing. Additionally, while producing meat in laboratories may require less water, land, and emissions than traditional farming, environmental issues are still present. It's important to consider the energy needed for the regulated settings where lab-grown meat is generated (Amani & Sarkodie, 2022). Similarly the manufacturing of lab-grown meat involves energy-consuming procedures that may have their negative effects on the environment. Hence, it's essential to thoroughly evaluate the net environmental impact. Due to its sterile production settings, lab-grown meat also has substantial safety benefits (Burton, 2022). However, there might be other safety issues with lab-grown meat,
like the potential for unanticipated dangers from novel technologies. To assure consumer safety as lab-grown meat becomes more widely used, it will be crucial to implement strict laws and monitoring programs.Last but not least, even if lab-grown meat shows promise, the technology is
still rather young. Issues with its accessibility, price, and cultural acceptance will need to be resolved as it gains popularity (Francis, 2023). It will take a significant social transformation and
a critical mass of customers choosing lab-grown meat for consumption to create a "no-kill" society for meat cultivation.
References:
Amani, M. A., & Sarkodie, S. A. (2022). Mitigating the spread of contamination in meat supply chain management using Deep Learning. Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-
022-08993-5
Burton, S. (2022). The food safety advantages of lab-grown meat. Food In Canada. https://www.foodincanada.com/features/the-food-safety-advantages-of-lab-grown-meat/
Francis, A. (2023). Will I see lab-grown meat in supermarkets any time soon?. Bon Appétit. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/lab-grown-meat
Mikstas, C. (2023). Cultured meat: What to know. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/cultured-meat-what-to-know
PETA. (2020). Factory farming: The industry behind meat and dairy. https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/
Treich, N. (2021). Cultured meat: Promises and challenges. Environmental & Resource Economics. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7977488/
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