Scientists grow pork meat in a laboratory

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6936352.ece

November 29, 2009

Scientists grow pork meat in a laboratory

Lois Rogers

SCIENTISTS have grown meat in the laboratory for the first time. Experts in Holland used cells from a live pig to replicate growth in a petri dish.

The advent of so-called “in-vitro” or cultured meat could reduce the billions of tons of greenhouse gases emitted each year by farm animals — if people are willing to eat it.

So far the scientists have not tasted it, but they believe the breakthrough could lead to sausages and other processed products being made from laboratory meat in as little as five years’ time.

They initially extracted cells from the muscle of a live pig. Called myoblasts, these cells are programmed to grow into muscle and repair damage in animals.

…

[ZombieHorde]

1. Awesome! I'll try some laboratory bacon. nt

[Lasher]

9. Hell yes, bacon makes everything better!

[ZombieHorde]

10. That is funny! nt

[kristopher]

2. I wonder...

if they got their research idea from Douglas Adams?

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. Recent Advances Hold Hope That Meat Lovers Can Satisfy Their Taste for Muscle and Fat While Saving B

http://www.peta.org/feat_in_vitro_contest.asp

Recent Advances Hold Hope That Meat Lovers Can Satisfy Their Taste for Muscle and Fat While Saving Billions of Animals

For Immediate Release:
April 21, 2008

Contact:
Nicole Matthews 757-622-7382

Norfolk, Va. - PETA cofounder and President Ingrid E. Newkirk has posed a challenge to the world's scientific community: The first person to come up with a method to produce commercially viable quantities of in vitro meat at competitive prices will receive a check for $1 million. The figure was determined by calculating the number of chickens killed every hour in the U.S.--about 1 million. PETA's offer comes just after the first-ever in vitro meat symposium in Norway, in which researchers met to discuss key scientific challenges, formalize an organizational structure, and work to fund their efforts. To qualify for the prize, which was announced today on the group's Web site PETA.org, the quantity of meat produced must be sufficient to market in at least 10 U.S. states at a price that is competitive with then-prevailing chicken prices.

PETA points out that although healthy and delicious vegetarian mock meats (made from plant protein and spices) abound, consumers who just can't get enough cholesterol and saturated fat in their diet could indulge their cravings without harming animals. Also, because a recent U.N. study concluded that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, and planes in the world combined and is a top contributor to land degradation and water pollution, switching to lab-grown meat would be a boon to the environment.

…

[kristopher]

12. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Mass Market Paperback)
~ Douglas Adams


The Restaurant at the End of the Universe doesn't quite pick straight up from the Hitchhikers Guide where Zaphod Beeblebrox suggests dining at the titular restaurant. Although they do eventually end up having dinner at the final cataclysm it turns out to be just an unplanned coincidence so clearly Douglas Adams changed his mind about how the four main characters would arrive at the end of time between the two books. Still, the way they arrive is far more inventive than just hiking out for a bite to eat. The Hitchhikers Guide is my all time favorite fiction novel and The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is its equal in quality so I guess that would make this book my all time favorite also.

I first read this book over 20 years ago and I still remember the restaurant itself, the talking cow and the solid black, frictionless space craft that Zaphod and crew stole. This is a book that made a major impact on my young mind. Through the first half Arthur Dent takes a backseat to the infinitely more interesting President of the Galaxy and his search for the answer to the mystery of what he erased from his own mind prior to his election. The search for the legendary planet of Magrathea, in the previous book, was only the beginning and now Zaphod continues the quest for the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything as well as the location of the man who runs the Universe. What I love about Douglas Adams is that he always manages to deliver even when it seems he can't possibly. When a writer implies to the reader that he or she might be about to read the secret of life how can a writer possibly meet expectations and yet a quarter of a century later fans still give the ultimate answer as 42. And when Douglas Adams introduces to the story the man who runs the Universe you feel like maybe it all makes sense. Douglas Adams is sort of a one man Monty Python of literature.

If you aren't a fan of sci-fi (which seems unlikely if you're reading this review) rest assured that the base on which series is supported is the humor not the sci-fi. It's hard to keep from laughing at Arthur's repulsion towards a cow, genetically bred to verbally express his desire to be eaten, describe how juicy his rump is. Douglas Adams continues to demonstrate a masterful comedic timing and a lot of the jokes are so subtle they might pass by unless the reader is paying attention (which is a good reason to read these books multiple times). After re-reading the first two books of the Hitchhikers Pent-ilogy I can honestly say I would not change a single word. If you haven't read the series yet stop goofing around and buy it.

# Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
# Publisher: Del Rey (September 27, 1995)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0345391810
# ISBN-13: 978-0345391810

[OKIsItJustMe]

14. Yes, I'm well aware of the series

(The radio series was better.)
http://www.sadena.com/BBC-Radio/H2G2/

However, as you would point out, this isn't relevant, since the cow actually was a cow.

[kristopher]

15. Both cases of meat genetically engineered to obviate guilt.

Are you really that obtuse? Never mind, we know the answer...

[OKIsItJustMe]

16. Right

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=218841&mesg_id=218932

… He had ample opportunity to correct his mistake and chose instead to dig in his heels and claim he had not erred; …

[kristopher]

18. Both cases of meat genetically engineered to obviate guilt.

Are you really that obtuse?

Never mind, we know the answer...

[joshcryer]

19. The "guilt free" cow at the RatEotU may have still released ample methane and required more...

...agriculturally grown feedstocks to grow. All that hair and inedible bits and all. In-vitro reduces energy utilization significantly, by allowing you to grow only what you eat.

[kristopher]

22. And you think that is the motive behind PETA activism?

[joshcryer]

25. I take it you didn't read OK's link about PETA's challenge?

Obviously it is not completely about "guilt."

[kristopher]

28. And just as obviously guilt is the PRIME motive behind PETA...

[joshcryer]

29. Relevance?

[kristopher]

30. Even you aren't that thick.

[joshcryer]

31. This is Environment and Energy, not Environment and Guilt.

PETAs actions for in-vitro meat are relevant on a purely environmental and energy basis, not some other philosophical off topic gibber jabber that you are oh so often embarking upon.

[kristopher]

32. OK, I stand corrected

You obviously are that thick.

[joshcryer]

33. So you think discussions of PETAs guilt motives are relevant on E&E?

I wonder what a moderator would think?

[kristopher]

34. If you think it is a violation of DU rules, then you should ask them.

I think it is relevant and judging by the thread so do others.

[joshcryer]

35. What others?

Only people discussing it are you, me, and OK. And the majority opinion here is that you are making an irrelevant observation.

[kristopher]

36. Poor feller can't even read...

There are several posts besides mine that are related. You even made one, as did OK.

Are you really that thick?

[joshcryer]

20. Note that this idea was around long before PETA announced theiir challenge.

However, it was encouraging when PETA finally did.

[izquierdista]

3. This isn't news

Go to any school cafeteria and you will find many kinds of mystery meat that are cultured in large vats.

[mike_c]

4. snort!

That was the sound of my beverage hitting the monitor, via my nostrils. :rofl:

[Turbineguy]

6. "Yes,

we've re-invented Spam!"

Actually, it sounds very clever.

[pscot]

17. Now if they can just develope an artificial

substitute for Wonderbread (I know that seems redundant) and mayo they'll be well on their way to an ersatz replication of my grade school culinary experience.

[Walk away]

7. Hey! Is that kosher? NT

[OKIsItJustMe]

11. Good question, since it has no feet

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=126533483

[Warpy]

8. I hate eating sentient creatures

although I know that's how the world was largely designed to operate. My cat certainly feels no guilt in dispatching mice and insects and no self pity when they upset her tummy. Alas, I feel it necessary to approach the little piece of fish on my plate apologetically.

I'm not fond of meat, never have been. However, I can see how non meat from a non sentient source might appeal to a morality vegetarian who really misses it but can't bring himself to eat it.

I'll content myself with apologizing to the fish and eating Asian meat without bones: tofu and tempeh. And I'll enjoy it, too.

[donco]

13. Let me know

when they come up with some snoots.

[joshcryer]

21. Probably be able to grow any body part in a decade or two.

So we'll be able to grow just what there is demand for and theoretically be able to reduce waste significantly. Though I admit it would probably also require a culture that didn't want to waste to implement it.

[sellitman]

23. I'm sure this is where Spam comes from.

:hide:

[azul]

24. wow, what's next, slabs of purple people flesh

to satisfy the guilt-ridden cannibals amongst us?

Or, perhaps a grow your-own-self clone kit for the truly narcissistic gnawer -the most perfect of all chows.

[joshcryer]

26. It's possible that certain elites may try out human meat. I know one guy who has stated that is...

...his goal, to be able to eat human meat without breaking any laws. I told him that it's not illegal to eat the already dead, he wanted fresh meat. Sick guy, but what can ya say, if I clone my thigh meat...

[flying rabbit]

27. McRib v.2.0

[Javaman]

37. McLab. nt