Lab-grown meat is estimated to account for almost a quarter of global meat consumption by 2035, encounters environmental costs obstacles

Reports have suggested that lab-grown meat is poised to rapidly gain market share in the food industry, with estimates indicating it could account for almost a quarter of global meat consumption by 2035.

However, there is an elephant in the room. The study’s authors recognize that lab-grown meat ventures have attracted approximately $2 billion in investments, and initial optimistic projections have tempered in recent times, with more conservative estimates suggesting a mere 0.5% share of meat products by 2030.

The presence of endotoxin poses a significant hurdle in lab meat production and is known to have various adverse effects, including harm to in vitro fertilization.

Pharmaceutical labs typically remove endotoxin during animal cell culture. Although several methods exist to eliminate this unwanted substance, their use significantly contributes to the economic and environmental costs associated with pharmaceutical products, as they require substantial energy and resources.

The study also raises concerns about previous scientific considerations of lab-grown meat, citing a lack of accounting for endotoxin removal and high levels of uncertainty in the results. Despite researchers clearly reporting these uncertainties, their findings have often been misinterpreted as inconclusive evidence of the sustainability of lab-grown meat.

As a result, the much-touted solution of lab-grown meat, which was presented as a green alternative by enthusiastic backing from investors, now seems to be facing significant challenges. The authors of the study emphasize that scaling up this technology without addressing Key, could put the humanity in danger of a total inhalation of all food in the planet.