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Angelina Au-Yeung. Photo: Handout
When we think about replacing traditional livestock as a source of meat and protein, we can relate it to the old saying, “When one door closes, another one opens”.
In this case, with billions of animals slaughtered each year, are we willing to continue down this inhumane path? To debate whether cultured meat should fully replace animal-farmed meat, we need to recognise that the shared future of the Earth must be a priority.
If humanity switched to cultured meat, health would improve on a global scale, since cultured meat is produced in a sterile lab environment with strict controls.
This differs from farmed meat, which can be exposed to foodborne pathogens originating from livestock. People would not have to worry about consuming harmful hormones or antibiotics while eating meat, as studies show that farmed meat consumption has links to cancer, food poisoning and many other diseases.
Imagine this: a world without polluted air, greenhouse gas emissions, and a variety of biodiversity everywhere you go. This could be our future, as recent reports show that we could reduce the impact of global warming by using cultured meat instead of livestock. Transitioning from raising cattle in a field to cell-based methods can build a global food system with radically lower emissions.
One reader shares that health standards would improve with lab-grown meat on a global scale, since cultured meat is produced in a sterile lab environment with strict controls. Photo: Shutterstock
It takes years and a lot of effort to raise a single cow, and humans finish their meat in just a few bites; we barely pay any attention to the animal that gave its life for the meal. Why not just shift to a better alternative that is right in front of us?
This new type of indoor agriculture would not only guarantee stable meat production, but could also make meat more accessible for everyone, especially in less developed countries, as it has the potential to undercut the price of more conventional options.
In conclusion, it would be beneficial for our health and the planet to fully replace traditional farmed meat and instead build up the cultured meat industry.
Let’s close the door to traditional meat production and bring our world closer through our shared love of food in a way that satisfies people’s desires without compromising our values. It’s definitely worth it.
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Against: Lab-grown meat’s benefits are not so clear-cut
Charlotte Chan Cheuk-lam, 12, Diocesan Girls’ Junior School
Charlotte Chan. Photo: Handout
Lab-grown meat is a type of meat produced by culturing animal cells directly in a laboratory or a controlled environment. While the idea of meat that doesn’t require the slaughter of animals may sound like a dream come true for some, I believe that completely replacing animal-farmed meat with lab-grown alternatives is not the correct answer.
First and foremost, safety is a big concern. There are no studies to show its impact over many decades, as it is a newly developed food. Let’s look at the thalidomide scandal and birth defect crisis in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This drug was proven safe to use, but it caused more than 10,000 children to be born with a range of severe deformities, such as malformations of the arms and legs, as well as thousands of miscarriages. We should learn from history and use caution with this newly invented meat.
Combat climate change and reduce your carbon footprint by cutting down on beef
Additionally, the environmental impact of lab-grown meat is less clear-cut than some would like to believe. While it may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, the energy-intensive process and chemical solutions used in creating lab-grown meat could be more harmful to the environment in the long run.
On the other hand, raising animals on pasture-based farms can actually have a positive impact on the land by improving soil health and sequestering carbon.
Moreover, the livestock industry is a vital source of income and employment for rural communities worldwide. Small-scale farmers and herders depend on livestock production as their primary means of subsistence.
One reader shares that the environmental impact of lab-grown meat is less clear-cut than some would like to believe. Photo: TNS
The complete replacement of farm-born meat by lab-grown alternatives could jeopardise these livelihoods, leading to economic disparities and social unrest. It is crucial to consider the socio-economic implications of a radical shift towards lab-grown meat and explore alternative solutions that support rural communities and sustainable food systems.
While lab-grown meat may have benefits, completely replacing animal-farmed meat is not the answer. Instead of investing money and effort in lab-grown meat, we should dedicate resources to eliminating food scarcity across the globe.