Did you hear about this? Yesterday some scientists served up the first hamburger grown completely in a lab. It cost approximately $330,000 to create the fake burger. Oddly, the burger didn’t have any fat, so it was quite tasteless. The color had to be added as well because otherwise it was white.
I’m usually a champion of science, but this is just disgusting. I think this might be the first time I actually think the term “natural” would have some meaning. Granted, the original cell used to create the patty was natural, but this just goes way beyond.
Predictably, some people are ecstatic about the idea of saying “goodbye” to animal agriculture.
On the one hand, the whole idea is being championed as a way to avoid the environmental impact of raising cows for meat. Actually, the environmental impact from animal operations is getting less and less and technology and practices improve. And let’s remember that animals are just as natural as you and me. They share this Earth too, and have for a long time. I don’t think eliminating them is going to help anything.
Of course, animal rights groups are also heralding this as a breakthrough so we can spare animals from slaughter. The goal of groups like HSUS and PETA is, quite frankly, to put family farmers out of business. They would love it if we all just stopped eating meat. Fortunately, I don’t think this idea will cause our farmers to close up shop (at least, I certainly hope not!).
I do find it incredibly odd that groups who rally for “natural” or “organic” or “environmentally friendly” would actually support this strange science.
As my brother said, maybe this would be a good thing for our farmers — eventually, real beef will have a higher value. Trust me, I’ll be purchasing from our farmers! Don’t expect me to switch to lab beef any time soon.
So, what do you think? Am I wrong? Is this ok?
