April 10, 2015

 

The case for Frankenbeef: Biologist continues fight for artificial meat

 

 

In 2013, Dr Mark Post, a vascular biologist at the University of Maastricht (Netherlands), and two other individuals, sampled a beef burger in London, as part of a project sponsored by Google co-founder, Sergey Brin.

 

Food writer, Josh Schonwald, one of those present, commented that the meat tasted like "an animal-protein cake", according to the New York Times. Overall, the consensus was rather ambiguous about the palatability of the meat.  

 

The catch?

 

Dr Post and his companions had just tried the world's first lab-developed hamburger, the main beef, literally, of a press event that was broadcast online. The product, a brainchild of the Dutch biologist, was extracted from the stem cells of cow shoulder muscle which were then cultured in Petri dishes by soaking those in a nutrient solution, leading to the formation of muscle fiber strands.

 

It came with a hefty price tag, a staggering US$330,000 for development.

 

Needless to say, public reception to this artificial meat was less than enthusiastic. Detractors had given it the derogating nickname of 'Frankenbeef', a partial nod to the Mary Shelley classic of a hideous humanoid crafted by a troubled scientist.

 

More than a year later, Dr Post continues to stand by his creation in meeting future world demand.

 

In Darwin, Australia, for the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association (NTCA) conference during March this year, he claimed that, with the introduction of artificial meat, the world would require only 40,000 of cattle animals, according to a report by The Land. The herds will be the main source of genetic material to 'bio-fabricate' beef which could feed 40,000 people from a 25,000-litre vat of growing medium.

 

Moreover, artificial meat could mitigate the environment impact of conventional beef production which, Dr Post argues, is not the best way to satisfy the burgeoning global appetite. "Are we, in the long run, willing to put up with methane exhaust from ruminants", he questioned.

 

He also pointed that two billion of the world population live on diets without meat protein even though the ratio of vegetarians to omnivores in developed nation has not changed over the last 35 years.

 

Dr Post's 'lab beef' is supposedly receiving support from one famous corporation, namely JBS, which is said to be interested in sponsoring his work.

 

While the proven science of artificial meat may attract other players, the biologist, in the meantime, will have to figure out the fabrication and improvement of the beef, specifically in adding fats and better taste as well as bringing costs on par with traditional meat products.

 

"Technically, we will become capable of producing full cuts of meat," Dr Post told Fairfax.

 

"The question is whether consumers are convinced by the potential benefits of this product."