3D Printed Meat: Lab-Based Alternative Could Unite Both Meat Lovers, Vegans--Find Out Why

The technology behind 3D printing is beyond unimaginable. Before, houses are only made out of wood, concrete, and other materials. Through the help of advanced processes, people can now have their dream house through additive manufacturing involving a three-dimensional object.

The process dives deep through creating a food alternative, specifically in the form of lab-grown meat. For years, scientists have been experimenting with the creation of 3D meat, which they believe could solve the problem between vegans and meat lovers.

Indeed, the livestock industry is quickly scaling, and its ever-growing market has been commonplace for consumers. Now, the public could finally have the chance to describe the taste of cell-cultured meat, which we could only first hear in the movies.

3D-Printed Meat Production is Happening Right Now

In an article written by IFL Science, the concept of culturing 3D-printed meat is now a reality for the public. At the moment, a startup, "Eat Just," from California, has been delivering the cell-cultured meats in various flavors to its Singaporean consumers.

In February, Israel managed to develop its first 3D-printed steak. Currently, the market for the lab-enhanced chicken has been expanding as one Tel Aviv-based restaurant starts selling the cultured meat, which goes well with the popular "chicken" dishes in the region.

Read Also: Scientists Successfully 3D Print 'Slaughter-Free Meat' Aboard The ISS

Could 3D-Printed Meat Be the Perfect Way to Connect Meat Lovers and Vegans?

The rare occasion of having both vegans and meat lovers at a single table sounds like a dream, but through this 3D-printed meat, the feud between the two groups could be addressed in an instant.

The perfect connection can be made between the two types of eaters since the cell-culture alternative can provide a satisfying taste and look which we could see and savor in real meat.

Apart from that, people will not be guilty of consuming 3D-printed animal meat since it won't pose any harm to the environment. For the part of vegans, since they cannot disobey the golden rule of eating animal meat to please their palate, there's no ethical violation made if they consider trying this meat.

How is 3D-Printed Meat Created?

The cell-grown meat is produced through primarily humanely taking a stem cell from a cow or chicken egg. The animal involved in the process is anesthetized.

From there, it will be taken care of and later grow into an edible tissue. Then, a 3D printer will be used to create its similar look and transform the food into the usual kind that we eat.

The scientists who developed the 3D-printed meats said that the final products taste like the real ones which we normally eat in our burgers and steaks.

However, the challenge in this alternative is how enough is it to convince the consumers to try it, as ABC reported earlier this week.

Before it becomes suitable for public consumption, there will be thorough decision-making that will be considered. The 3D printing technology of cultured meat began in 2018, and at that time, only a few consumers said that they would eat it

What's eye-catching in this trend is its nature-friendly impact since no killing of animals is encased in its production. However, a 2020 study concluded that 72% of GenZ people in Australia were not yet ready to adopt the cell-raised meat despite the absence of its impacts on the environment.

"However, if cultured meat is to replace livestock-based proteins, it will have to emotionally and intellectually appeal to the Gen Z consumers," Dr. Bogueve, the University of Sydney researcher said.

By 2040, we could have made 35% of the cultured meat to make up with the consumer's demand. In the future, people could gradually have a liking to the 3D-printed over the usual meat.

It's only a matter of time before everyone accepts this technology openly.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry