Scientist have recently predicted a future global shortage of food, which is a direct result of the dwindling amounts of available land for raising livestock. However, the calvary has come to the rescue! Developmental Biologist and tissue engineer, Dr. Vladimir Mironov M.D., Ph.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina, has worked for more than 10 years to culture meat. Mironov is extremely eager to share his methods with the word, in hopes that the world will be able to put an ultimate end to hunger, especially in developing countries. But, he has hit an unforeseen funding barricade. Government funded organizations such as The National Aeronautics and Space Administration briefly funded the Mironov’s efforts, but quickly pulled backing. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the National Institute of Health, have both refused to fund the growth of “in-vitro” meats. According to Mironov, "Bringing any new technology on the market, average, costs $1 billion. We don't even have $1 million."
"There's a yuck factor when people find out meat is grown in a lab. They don't like to associate technology with food," said Nicholas Genovese, a scholar in cancer cell biology working under a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals three-year grant to run Dr. Mironov's meat-growing lab. "But there are a lot of products that we eat today that are considered natural that are produced in a similar manner," Genovese said.
Genetically modified (GMO) foods are already normal practice and are now widely accepted. It’s only a matter of time until cultured meats are accepted as well! Stay tuned for new developments on this “in-vitro” meats and other food/technology based topics.
About Me
- Stephanie L.
- I received my BS degree in Food Science and Technology with a focus in manufacturing operations from Purdue University. I was also crowned Miss Purdue University in 2006 and was a Purdue University Cheerleader for several years. I had the opportunity to work within the food manufacturing industry for 3 years and was involved in several different functions. I have had the opportunity to develop a unique skill set, by working within the following departments: R&D, QA, customer service, nutritional labeling and manufacturing operations. I am currently in school at Morgan State University, pursuing an MBA with a focus in Marketing. My career goal is to become a Product & Brand Manager for a major fortune 500 food manufacturing company.
I think it would help if scientists did prove to the world that GMOs have nothing, whatsoever, to do with the increase in cancer cases nowadays. Once that is done, I bet people will have labs in their basements.
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