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As part of its election campaign, the Eco Party made an unexpected statement — it plans to oppose the production and sale of synthetic meat. This raises questions, considering that synthetic meat is positioned as one of the key solutions to reducing environmental impact and improving the ethics of the food industry. Fighting such a product seems like a strange step that could hinder progress in the fields of ecology and ethics.
What is synthetic meat?
Let’s clarify the terms first. Synthetic meat is a general term for two types of products created without the slaughter of animals:
- Plant-based meat. It is made from plant-based ingredients such as rice protein, pea protein isolate, coconut, and canola oils. No artificial additives, colors, or flavorings are used — for example, beet juice is responsible for the color. The result is a product that tastes and has a texture similar to real meat but contains no cholesterol or excess fats. However, it often turns out to be more caloric and expensive.
- Cultivated (lab-grown) meat. This is real meat, but grown in laboratory conditions from animal cells, without the need for slaughter. It is produced from muscle cells that divide and grow in a special nutrient medium. Cultivated meat does not require enormous resources like water, pasture, or feed, and eliminates the negative environmental consequences such as greenhouse gas emissions. This meat is indeed real meat but created without harm to animals or nature.
In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared cultivated meat safe for human consumption, paving the way for its sale in the U.S.
Why is the fight against synthetic meat a step backward?
The Eco Party, in theory, should support all measures aimed at improving the environmental situation and reducing the negative impact on nature. However, their decision to fight synthetic meat seems contradictory. Here are a few reasons why this decision appears strange:
First, traditional livestock farming is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and deforestation. Synthetic meat, whether plant-based or cultivated, requires less water, land, and energy and does not harm ecosystems. Reducing the burden on the environment should be one of the primary goals of any environmental organization, yet the Eco Party has chosen to fight a solution that could genuinely help.
Second, the production of synthetic meat allows us to stop slaughtering animals. With the growing demand for meat products, this approach is more humane and ethical as it completely eliminates cruelty toward animals. Animal protection is one of the important aspects of ecological policy, and synthetic meat offers a solution to this problem.
Third, artificial meat can be healthier than traditional meat. For example, plant-based meat contains no cholesterol and lacks the hormones and antibiotics widely used in conventional livestock farming. Cultivated meat is also a safe product without the risk of transmitting diseases from animals to humans. In a world where more and more people are concerned about their health, synthetic meat becomes a healthy alternative.
Why is synthetic meat the way of the future?
Producers of synthetic meat have grand ambitions. They hope that in the future, their products will become not only more popular but also more affordable for consumers. Modern technologies allow for the improvement of taste, texture, and nutritional value of such products. Additionally, synthetic meat could become a solution to many problems related to food shortages as the planet’s population grows.
For example, plant-based meat is an excellent source of protein and fiber, making it not only a tasty but also a healthy product. Meanwhile, cultivated meat has the potential to fully replace traditional livestock farming, addressing the ecological and ethical issues associated with mass meat production.
Conclusion
Synthetic meat is one of the examples of how science and technology can help solve humanity’s pressing problems. It is not only a way to reduce the environmental burden and prevent animal suffering but also a real opportunity to make the food system more sustainable. The Eco Party’s fight against synthetic meat seems like a strange and illogical step. Most likely, this decision stems from a misunderstanding of the issue and a lack of awareness of the benefits of this product.
Instead of opposing progressive technologies, the Eco Party should support their development. Only then can we ensure a future where ecological and ethical standards go hand in hand with technological advancements.
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.
