Let’s break down the relevance of lab-curated meat in the Indian market.
With global meat consumption quintupling since 1950 and set to rise another 75% by 2050, the environmental impact of large-scale animal farming is undeniable. Methane emissions from ruminants, excessive land use for grazing and the strain on resources are just a few challenges that intensify the climate crisis. India, home to 1.426 billion inhabitants and the most populous country in the world, finds itself at the crossroads of economic growth and environmental sustainability.
As India’s population and meat consumption continue to grow, its livestock sector contributes over 200 million tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere annually. Despite the current dearth of advanced facilities and specialized equipment, India is making strides to enhance its research and development infrastructure for meat production. Reflecting this commitment, the latest government budget allocated a significant US$163.61 billion (INR16,361 crore) to position India as a global front-runner in bio-manufacturing.
This commitment is further exemplified by collaborations like the one between Humane Society International (HSI) India and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad, initiated in 2019. Their joint venture aspires to mainstream lab-cultivated meat in India by 2025.
Lab-grown meat, a concept once fictionalized in the 1897 novel Auf Zwei Planeten, stands as a testament to biotechnological advancements. Replicating the flavor and feel of traditional meat, it offers a dual promise: curbing greenhouse gas emissions and sustainably addressing the global protein demand surge.
As we stand on the brink of this transformative shift, especially in the Indian market, we explore the potential, implications and ethical considerations of this groundbreaking alternative.
Lab-grown meat production: Benefits, process and health implications
Cultivated meat is made from bovine skeletal muscle stem cells through the process of tissue engineering, leveraging their unique self-renewal ability. In the production process, tissues are left undisturbed, allowing cells to multiply. Subsequently, these cells are nourished with salts, sugar, oxygen and protein during incubation. This method simulates the environment within an animal’s body, prompting the cells to naturally replicate.
The introduction of lab-made meat could significantly benefit public health. Traditional livestock farming often involves keeping animals in crowded, unhygienic conditions, which can be both inhumane and a breeding ground for infections. Lab-grown meat eliminates the need for such practices, reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases. Additionally, it offers a way to bypass the consumption of unwanted growth hormones and antibiotics, which are frequently administered to livestock to expedite growth and meet market demands.
Moreover, common pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, typically found in animal intestines, are absent in lab-grown meat since it doesn’t contain specific organs, eliminating potential breeding grounds for these microorganisms.
Furthermore, while traditional meat often contains unhealthy fats that can lead to elevated cholesterol levels, synthetic meat offers the opportunity for “manipulative composition”. Scientists can engineer this meat to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce the risk of heart diseases and inflammation, making cultivated meat a potentially healthier alternative to its conventional counterpart.
Clear Meat’s Journey: Pioneering lab-grown meat in India
Founded by Dr. Siddharth Manvati and Dr. Pawan Dhar in 2018, Clear Meat marked its presence as the pioneer in India’s lab-derived meat industry. Not only did it introduce this innovative product, but it also secured a patent for its unique production mechanism. The company’s initial offering was minced chicken, a strategic choice given its quicker production time and lower capital requirements, allowing for a swift market entry.
What sets Clear Meat apart is its commitment to an ethical vision: producing meat without animal slaughter and eschewing the use of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)—an important but controversial raw material required to create “slaughter-free” lab-grown meat. Reports indicate that to produce 800,000 liters of FBS, two million bovine fetuses are procured, involving the slaughter of pregnant cows to extract the unclotted blood from the unborn calves. This process not only raises concerns about potential pathogen contamination but also poses significant ethical and animal welfare issues. Despite FBS’s efficacy in promoting cell growth and providing essential nutrients, its high cost and ethical implications make it a contentious choice.
Recognizing these challenges, Clear Meat developed ClearX9, a cell growth medium superior to FBS in promoting cell generation. More importantly, it’s a cost-effective, sustainable and ethical alternative. ClearX9 is enriched with amino acids, vitamins, lipids, salts and natural growth factors, ensuring a conducive environment for cell growth. Its formulation eliminates the need for animal slaughter, making it suitable for various industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and cell-based meat production.
The founders of Clear Meat are confident about the future of lab-grown meat, trusting in the increasing societal consciousness about animal welfare. However, like all innovations, tissue-engineered meat has its challenges, which we will delve into next.
Challenges and implications of lab-grown meat adoption
A major concern is the disruption of the natural food chain. If people depend on cultured meat exclusively, certain animal populations might proliferate unchecked, leading to ecological imbalances. For example, an overpopulation of cattle could result in overgrazing, damaging vegetation and impacting other species reliant on that vegetation for sustenance.
Furthermore, in countries like India, where the farming sector is vital, and small-scale farmers rely on animal rearing to earn a living, the introduction of cultivated meat could pose significant economic challenges. These farmers might face losses or intense competition that could threaten their way of life.
That said, it is better to aim with a crooked bow than never to shoot at all. In a technocentric era, new discoveries and modifications often bring disruption, and society tends to adapt. The analogy of the introduction of ride-sharing services like Uber and Ola serves as a reminder. Initially, there were fears that local taxi drivers would lose their livelihoods, but many adapted by joining these platforms. The transition to lab-grown meat might follow a similar path, with new opportunities arising even as old systems are replaced.
In conclusion, while cultured meat presents an exciting and potentially more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional meat, it also raises complex questions and challenges. The ultimate success of this innovation may hinge on global acceptance and careful consideration of its broader impacts on society, the economy and the environment. The question remains: will people worldwide embrace lab-grown meat over its naturally-procured counterpart, a long-beloved staple of human diets? The answer may shape the future of food as we know it.
Also read:
- Blue Tribe Foods: Helping Planet and People with Plant-Based Meat
- A Guide to the Most Popular Alternative Meats
- Is Veganism Truly Sustainable?
Header image courtesy of Unsplash
