Will vegetarians/vegans eat "lab-grown" meat?

[kenny]

SNIP from https://thehumaneleague.org/article/lab-grown-meat

"Instead of killing animals for their meat, the process of making lab-grown meat starts with the careful removal of a small number of muscle cells from a living animal, typically using local anesthesia to provide relief from pain. The animal will experience a momentary twinge of discomfort, not unlike the feeling of getting a routine blood test at the doctor’s office. This process is much less harmful than the lifetime of pain and terror animals experience leading up to their horrific final moments at the slaughterhouse.

Is lab-grown meat actually meat?​

The short answer is, yes! Lab-grown meat is real meat. It has the exact same animal cells as what we traditionally consider “meat”—the flesh of an animal. The difference has to do with how it gets to your plate: lab-grown meat comes from cells harvested from a living animal, while conventional meat comes from an animal that’s raised and killed for human consumption.

The idea that no animal has to be raised or killed may be enough to convince ethically-minded consumers to opt for lab-grown meat over conventional meat products. And, based on what companies and researchers have already shared about lab-grown meat, additional health benefits and reduced environmental impacts may also make lab-grown meat a more enticing choice for consumers. What also makes lab-grown meat different is that it often doesn’t contain the same growth hormones and saturated fats associated with conventional meat."


So if no animal suffers, or was killed, would it be acceptable to some/most/all vegans to eat this 'cleaner' type of real meat?

 

[missy]

So if no animal suffers, or was killed, would it be acceptable to some/most/all vegans to eat this 'cleaner' type of real meat?

The main reason I eat mostly a vegan diet is to prevent animal suffering so this would be a step in the right direction. Anything that will stop people from factory farming, transporting and slaughtering animals in hideously cruel conditions is moving in the right direction.

However I probably would not partake just because the thought of eating meat is unpalatable to me at this point. Even when I was a little girl I did not like eating animals. So as soon as I was able I became a vegan. Long story I had to eventually start eating fish (pescatarian) for health reasons but I am eating mainly a vegan diet now. I do not want to eat animals.

But for many this could be the right path to go to reduce the pain, fear, agony and suffering of billions of animals who otherwise would be murdered for food. That is a big yes in my book regardless of whether I personally would start eating meat. It is not about me but rather about how this can help animals.

If this indeed improves animal welfare and the environmental impact of raising meat for our diet I am all for it. If it does

 

[Gloria27]

Yeah meat made out of cells that are dysfunctional and grow perpetually, didn't that have a name medically? hm....

getting my meat from big pharma? no thanks

 

[TooPatient]

I know vegans who have extremely pampered chickens, quails, etc. They lay eggs as part of what they do naturally. Nothing any human does makes that occur. The vegans don't eat those eggs despite having taken no action to cause the egg to occur and knowing the birds are living the best possible happy bird life. A couple i know crush the fresh eggs up for the birds to eat. While there may be some who will go the route of lad grown, I doubt most will. None that I know will.

 

[seaurchin]

Personally, I'd opt for just going vegan or leaning more heavily that way, instead of lab grown meat (or most of the highly processed and chemical laden plant-based meat substitutes that are widely sold now).

Veganism or at least leaning more that way is just so excellent all around, for the environment, keeping the world fed, the grocery budget, health, animal kindness and so on. The only people I've heard strongly putting it down are the ones who are uneducated about it tbh.

In my experience, getting used to meals that do not (always or ever) feature a main course of meat (or that include meat, dairy or eggs) just takes a little time imo. I also had a pretty steep curve with learning to cook all over again, to make meatless meals flavorful and delicious.

I have not read up much on lab grown meat. That said, I'd guess it's an improvement at least. But thus far anyway, it just does not appeal to me at all.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

We eat meat about once a week. Sometimes less. We try to keep the amounts on the smaller side. We also eat very 'locally'.
I know my meat comes from down the street, as do my eggs. Fish/seafood from our own waters. Milk/cheese from local dairies.

I don't see this swaying vegetarians/vegans. The principle, for them, remains.

I am wary of synthesized meat, though I see it as inevitable in the long term for sustainability in many regions of the world. It doesn't sound appealing, but it is necessary.

 

[yssie]

I know vegetarians who are vegetarian because of both religious mandate and welfare/sustainability/climate concerns. Logic can’t impact a faith-based choice, and those worried about animal welfare or sustainability or climate change are going to be skeptical of anything that seems like a “workaround”, so… I don’t see my personal vegetarian acquaintances jumping on board.

I think it’s pretty nifty though. As not-a-vegetarian!

 

[Wink]

This process is much less harmful than the lifetime of pain and terror animals experience leading up to their horrific final moments at the slaughterhouse.

Really? If the cattle were raised in a lifetime of terror and pain, the adrenalin in the meat would make it inedible. I eat meat. Not nearly as much as I used to, because I have found myself becoming addicted to sautéed onions, asparagus, etc with a couple of eggs for my morning scramble and a nice big salad for dinner which includes an avocado and other veggies and a salad dressing that would make a nutritionist run for the hills.

I still manage to find a meal or three a week with some good beef, chicken, pork or wild duck. I just object to the manner in which this was introduced and think it is some kind of advertising pablum for the uneducated. Thus it will have no effect whatsoever on my eating habits, so undoubtably, I will die sometime in my eighties and never make it to my nineties. So sad...

NOT!

 

[kenny]

FWIW Wink, for the record your post that quotes me is not a quote of my words.
I was quoting the source I linked to above.

 

[Wink]

FWIW Wink, for the record your post that quotes me is not a quote of my words.
I was quoting the source I linked to above.

I was hoping that was the case. I think who ever wrote it is a propagandist and I have always thought much better of you. You always make me think, that BS quote just made me mad...

Thank you for living up to my opinion of you.

 

[kenny]

Wink, after a couple decades here on PS, I have great respect for, and admiration of, you.

 

[Wink]

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i won't eat anything out of a lab
we dont have GM here either, it's illegal
so no way Jose
i see farm animals every day
im happy how cows and sheep are raised here, outside on pasture

 

[Gloria27]

i won't eat anything out of a lab
we dont have GM here either, it's illegal
so no way Jose
i see farm animals every day
im happy how cows and sheep are raised here, outside on pasture

I dare anyone to google lab grown meat carbon footprint, especially those that think this is sustainable or whatever...
Veganism is not sustainable either (or healthy for the majority of people), to grow veggies and cereals and have proper crops (not 30% crops) you gotta chemically scorch the land and kill every bug, every mouse, every living creature including polinators which are vital.
People are so eager to virtue signal nowdays, makes me

 

[jaysonsmom]

I asked one of my kid’s friends who grew up a vegetarian because the texture and taste of meat grossed her out. It wasn’t for ethical, or religious reasons. She said she would not eat this lab grown meat, because she never missed eating meat. She doesn’t eat any meet substitutes either, like soy-riso, or Boca burgers etc. I think lab grown meat would appeal to current omnivores who are animal lovers.

 

[llamacat]

I asked one of my kid’s friends who grew up a vegetarian because the texture and taste of meat grossed her out. It wasn’t for ethical, or religious reasons. She said she would not eat this lab grown meat, because she never missed eating meat. She doesn’t eat any meet substitutes either, like soy-riso, or Boca burgers etc. I think lab grown meat would appeal to current omnivores who are animal lovers.

This is me. I've been a vegetarian since 3 years old. Never liked the texture and taste and there is no way I would eat lab grown meat. Don't like the fake soy meats that try to mimic the texture of meat either. I also believe that the market for meat substitutes and lab grown meats are targeted towards meat lovers who for ethical reasons want to reduce their meat intake.

I feel like this, along with veganism hasn't really benefitted vegetarians like me as I find that restaurants and cafes now replace vegetarian options with fake meat options which leaves me with no options!

 

[MoxiRoxi]

I’m a carnivore and won’t be eating any lab grown meat. If that becomes the only source of commercially farmed product, I’d skip meat altogether or locally source “real” meat. My vegetarian step daughter said she has no desire to eat anything grown in a lab, in fact the concept was more grotesque to her than traditionally farmed meat.

~M~

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I’m a carnivore and won’t be eating any lab grown meat. If that becomes the only source of commercially farmed product, I’d skip meat altogether or locally source “real” meat. My vegetarian step daughter said she has no desire to eat anything grown in a lab, in fact the concept was more grotesque to her than traditionally farmed meat.

~M~

grotesque is a good word for it alright
its frankinstein to me