Introduction
With the advent of lab-grown meat in food technology, meat is arriving as a revolutionary force that is bound to change the way we consume food and, in turn, change the global food scenario. Not only does it allow an individual to take cognizance from an environmental concern point of view, but it goes to great lengths to be able to sustain the needs of the future regarding the consumption of meat. let's see how lab-grown meat enables a healthier, more sustainable pathway into the future.
The Rise of Cultured Meat
This has also been known in the past by the term lab-grown, cell-based, and in-vitro meat. It is meat that is created via the in-vitro production of animal cells as against the elimination of animals. Through this process, the animals are not raised and thus there is no need for resources to be invested in creating that livestock, which burdens the environmental loads to very high extents in conventionally created meat. This is how lab-grown meat began in the year 2021 in the United States, Singapore, and Israel.
The environment is a large beneficiary of lab-grown meat as well. Current livestock production is highly responsible for increased emissions of greenhouse gases, deforestation, and water pollution. In fact, in vitro meat is said to be more energy-efficient compared with unfriendly ecological land and water and bears lesser greenhouse gas emissions. A paper published in 2022 projects that in vitro meat will decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 96% and land use by 99% relative to the production of conventional beef. That's right—in vitro meat is one of the biggest game changers for our planet.
FOOD INDUSTRY GAME CHANGER
Indeed, growing investments in technologies that culture in-vitro meat are changing the face of companies working in the food sector. Other companies across the world, such as Memphis Meats and Mosa Meat, are increasing the scale to boost production. Here in India, students and professors from colleges like IIT-Delhi and Anna University have founded startups like Clear Meat, while others like Lab Grown Foods have also made great strides in tapping this potential to provide cheap cultured meat products. The acceptance is optimistic and doesn't limit lab-grown meat to niche markets, as slowly it is gaining interest from mainstream food chains and restaurants.
The Process of Developing Lab-Grown Meat
Lab-defined meat is developed through a step-by-step process as follows:
Cell Selection and Extraction: The process starts with the selection and extraction of animal cells, mainly muscle cells, from a living animal through a painless biopsy.
Cell Culturing: Culturing of cells is carried out on the growing medium supported with all the essential nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Cell Proliferation: The cultured cells proliferate within a bioreactor; development of the muscular tissue occurs, which is a mimic to the normal growth within the animals.
- Harvesting and Processing: The produced volume of the desired tissue is harvested and processed into kadhai-ready products, such as burger patties, sausages, and nuggets.
Cultural Acceptance: A Gradual Shift
While lab-grown meat offers numerous benefits, its acceptance in India and other cultures where vegetarianism is prevalent might take time. However, with increasing awareness about animal welfare, environmental conservation, and the benefits of lab-grown meat, a gradual shift is expected.
The Future is Here
In 2024, lab-grown meat is no longer just a concept; it's a reality that's reshaping our diet, our environment, and our food industry. As India and the world move towards a more sustainable future, lab-grown meat offers a promising solution to some of our most pressing challenges.
Conclusion
The rise of lab-grown meat is a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to innovate for a better future. By embracing this new way of producing food, we can reduce our environmental impact, improve food security, and create a more ethical food industry.