Scientists accelerate efforts to end animal slaughter for meat

The move, according to experts, might be a “gamechanger” for the embryonic business. The bioreactors, according to the US company Good Meat, would produce more than 13,000 tonnes of chicken and beef every year.

The bioreactors will employ cells from cell banks or eggs, so no animals will be slaughtered to make the meat. There are over one hundred and seventy firms working on cultured meat throughout the world. However, Good Meat is the only one that has received regulatory authority to market its product to the general public.

In December 2020, Good Meat began serving locally grown chicken in Singapore. Cattle, chickens and other animals have a significant impact on the environment. This is due to methane emissions, forest degradation and water use.

Scientists accelerate efforts to end animal slaughter for meat

According to scientists, the consumption of traditional beef in developed countries must drop drastically. This is in order to combat the climate catastrophe. Proponents of cultivated meat claim that it can have the same taste and texture as traditional meat. This will have a far lower environmental impact.

The construction of Good Meat’s ten new bioreactors, each with a capacity of two hundred and fifty litres and standing four storeys tall, is already underway, according to the firm.

The facility’s US site is expected to be completed in three months and operate in late 2024. This is with annual production reaching 11,800 tonnes by 2026 and 13,700 tonnes by 2030.

The bioreactors are being built as part of a deal with ABEC. This is a major bioprocess equipment manufacturer. They are also building a 6,000-litre bioreactor for Good Meat’s Singapore facility. It is set to start production in early 2023 and will be the world’s largest cultured meat bioreactor.

“I believe our grandkids will inquire as to why we ate meat from slain animals in 2022,” said Josh Tetrick, CEO of Good Meat’s parent firm.

“Cultivated meat is important because it will allow us to eat meat without all of the negative consequences, such as deforestation, the slaughter of animals, the use of antibiotics and the acceleration of zoonotic illnesses.”

“Not just in the grown meat sector, but also in the biopharma industry, bioreactors will be by far the largest.” Consequently, the design and engineering difficulties are enormous. This is because the financial requirements and the potential to move society away from butchered meat are crucial.”

One challenge will be ensuring that the meat cells develop as well in huge reactors as they do in smaller reactors.

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The US Food and Drug Administration

The US Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved cultivated meat for sale. Tetrick stated, “We’ve submitted our application.” “From cell identification through final result, we’ve found the agency to be totally engaged, asking all the questions you’d anticipate.”

We’d rather not try to forecast whether or not [approval] will happen.” Tetrick also mentioned that the company has developed a cell growth serum that doesn’t require the use of cow foetuses, which was previously common practice.

If this is approved and becomes a global practice, then animals can now live long, grow old and die natural deaths. However, it might take years before this is achieved. This is because with every innovation or advancement, there are always those who resist such changes.

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They are those who prefer the way things were done in the days of their fathers or those who prefer the natural way things have always been done. However, whichever way it goes, we will keep you updated.