Upcoming challenge for scholars - meat that is grown in laboratories, not animals

mAd_ScIeNtIsT · January 22, 2012, 5:20pm

Interesting article I read on how some scientists are working on trying to produce more meat at lower cost by just growing meat cells it in vats instead of animals.

Today, scientists are … producing small quantities of “cultured meat” in research laboratories. Indeed, Mark Post of Maastricht University, one of the pioneers in the field, claims he will be able to produce a cultured burger by the end of the year.

Cultured meat – also known as in vitro meat or lab-grown meat – draws on the science of stem cell technology used in medicine. Stem cells are extracted from a pig, say, and converted to pig muscle cells. These muscle cells are then cultured on a scaffold with nutrients and essential vitamins and grown to desired quantities.

During the growth process, the muscle cells are also “exercised” using either mechanical stretchers or electric stimulation. The scaffold and the exercise provide the muscle cells with ideal structure, texture and strength, while the growth supplements bestow the cells with optimal nutrition. Ultimately, these cells can be shaped and seasoned into sausages, hamburgers, steaks or mince.

I wonder how Zabihah requirements will be achieved when the meat never had a throat to cut?

Azad · January 22, 2012, 6:06pm