Joe Biden has signed a biotech initiative, following a press call which backed the advancements of cultured meat
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POTUS Joe Biden has backed an executive order which could ‘improve food security’ with new technologies such as cultured meat.
The politician recently signed a biotech and biomanufacturing initiative which aims to create new services and products in a bid to boost the US’ economy and provide more jobs.
Part of this includes creating ‘innovative solutions’ in ‘health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chain resilience, and national and economic security’.
Although the order itself does not explicitly state how cultured meat will become part of the initiative, a background press call on the issue provided more detail.
‘Improve food security’
A senior administration official said: “Living factories – cells – and biomass can be used to make almost anything that we use in our day-to-day lives, from medicines to fuels to plastics. And this allows the U.S. to leverage innovation – this innovation – to strengthen our economy and society…
“We’re also looking to improve food security and drive agricultural innovation, including through new technologies that protect crops from disease, enhance seeds and fertilisers and foods made with cultured animal cells.”
The advancement of cultured meat
Otherwise known as clean meat, cultured meat isn’t technically vegan as it uses cells from animals. However, many people in the plant-based movement support the advancement due to its potential of reducing the amount of animals slaughtered for meat in factory farms, as well as its environmental benefits.
In fact, a 2019 report by global consultancy AT Kearney predicts 35 per cent of the meat consumed in 2040 will be produced from cells.
According to the Guardian, Carsten Gerhardt, a partner at AT Kearney, said: “The shift towards flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan lifestyles is undeniable, with many consumers cutting down on their meat consumption as a result of becoming more conscious towards the environment and animal welfare.
“For passionate meat-eaters, the predicted rise of cultured meat products means that they still get to enjoy the same diet they always have, but without the same environmental and animal cost attached.”
Is lab-grown meat the answer to ending factory farming? Check out the pros and cons in our guide to lab-grown meat
Featured image: Bill Pugliano / Stringer via Getty Images
