What About Lab Grown Meat?
As a vegan, would you eat laboratory grown meat?
Despite a personal reluctance to respond to a question with a question let's start with "why would anyone eat lab-grown meat?"
And to provide a short answer to the original question; no.
Frankly, despite a nominal distance between the source animal and the end genetically produced meat is no comfort to me when considering my personal commitment to live as joyfully as possible while causing the least amount of suffering. I have read articles that indicate that no animal suffering is caused during the production of lab meat, however, no animal is born with the purpose of providing the satiation of my culinary desires regardless of the distance between them and my fork. Eating 100% plant-based food to avoid the exploitation of animals is only an element of my commitment. Of equal importance is to assure that my food choices contribute to my health and well-being. To cause the least suffering possible means caring for my own health and avoiding genetically modified & overly processed food is the foundation of that self-care.
That being said, the question of "why...?" was not satirical. Does such a deep addiction to eating flesh exist that the thought of eating lab-grown meat seems reasonable? Does such a strong aversion to eating plant-based food exist that any opportunity to consume flesh is attractive? I enjoy vegan eating and have for many years. Aside from an occasional joke about wishing I could eat Buffalo chicken wings again the idea of eating meat or other animal products does not even come to mind. The idea of supporting the growth of a brand new technology and business model so that I can again taste flesh does not enter my sphere of interest.
No, lab-grown meat will not be on my plate. Eating nutritionally rich and fiber dense food by following the No/Low P.A.S.S. nutrition plan provides far too many benefits and enjoyment to consider polluting it with animal produced, genetically manipulated pseudo-food.
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