Staff Reports
In a shocking move by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, two California-based companies have been given approval to sell lab-grown meats to American consumers. In classic liberal fashion, the government is once again promoting untested and potentially dangerous products. “Upside Foods” and “Good Meat” have both been granted clearance to sell chicken that was grown in a metal vat, rather than raised on a traditional farm. This decision makes America now the second country in the world to approve of such products.
According to the left-leaning supporters of this new form of food production, this will “save land and water,” as well as be a more ethical and humane way to produce meat. However, is it really ethical to grow chicken meat in a lab? One must question the possible ramifications of such a product on the human body.
The “cultivated meats” start with cells, and Upside Foods chooses the cells that are most likely to taste good and reproduce quickly. They then form high-quality meat, which is grown in a broth-like mixture that is filled with amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, salts, vitamins, and other elements needed for the cells to grow. Then, inside the tanks, referred to as cultivators, the cells grow quickly. After about three weeks, the poultry cells are removed from the tanks and formed into cutlets, sausages, or other foods.
Good Meat, on the other hand, has a commercially available chicken cell line, which they use to grow large masses of meat, which are then shaped into various products. While the process may sound futuristic and fun, there are many obstacles to producing these products on a large scale, including the prohibitive cost of producing them.
Despite some lofty claims by the companies involved, the ick factor is a huge obstacle to overcome when it comes to selling lab-grown meat. Half of all U.S. adults are unwilling to try it, and half also express concerns about its safety. While Amy Chen, Upside’s chief operating officer, claims it is “the meat that you’ve always known and loved,” prominent chef and Food Network star Andrew Gruel called it a “danger to both our food system and our economy.”
Would you eat chicken meat made in a lab? Now, you can.
The U.S. approved its sale on Wednesday, allowing two California companies to offer “lab-grown” meat to restaurants and eventually, supermarkets. Here’s how it’s made. https://t.co/LeNjh4vvbk pic.twitter.com/iCs3QHud8e
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 22, 2023
Moreover, Italy is now looking to ban any form of lab-grown meat due to the potential risks and uncertainty surrounding them. Americans, however, should be wary of this new development. Just because something is new and exciting does not mean it is safe or good for human consumption. Conservatives should be skeptical of these products and politicians should be focused on protecting their constituents from potential harm.
Source: Townhall
