Here’s a fact: lab-grown meat is not vegan. People who follow this lifestyle adopt the belief that no creature should be used for human purposes and animals are involved in the making of lab-grown meat, which is still 100 per cent meat by all accounts.
Now that that’s out of the way, I’ll review the nuance, because this subject is by no means black and white. We humans have some serious problems to face. Remember when, last year, it was reported that we have just 12 years to save the planet from the growing global warming crisis, alongside other significant environmental challenges? Well, top climate scientists are now saying we should make that 18 months.
Nothing is more clear: something drastic needs to be done in order for us to heal the world. And animal agriculture is one of the most detrimental industries on the planet – it is one of the highest sources of greenhouse gas emissions and is one of the leading causes of deforestation, biodiversity loss and water pollution. While it is by no means the only contributing factor to our planet’s demise, it makes sense for us to do something about it – and quick.
Is the adoption of a vegan diet our best solution in this regard? Yes.
Sure, as a vegan, I'm biased, but I'm not alone in this belief – even Dutch scientist Mark Post, who presented us with the world's first lab-grown burger in 2013, said to The New York Times: "Vegetarians should remain vegetarian. That's even better for the environment."
But is it realistic that everyone on this planet will adopt a plant-based diet? Unfortunately, no.
And that’s where the benefits of lab-grown meat will come in. Not only does such meat reduce the unnecessary slaughter of billions of animals, but it will also use drastically less water, land and resources than our current meat-producing processes do. (Although it is still a far more energy-intensive method than feeding plants directly to people.)
Let’s rewind a minute, though. I mentioned lab-grown meat will reduce the slaughter of animals, but it’s important to understand that it hasn’t yet eradicated this altogether. This process still uses animals, albeit far fewer, and at the moment requires cells from something known as foetal bovine serum. This is taken from foetuses of cows at slaughterhouses, foetuses that have been whipped out of the animal’s womb at about the three-month mark. If you’re an omnivore, before you gasp in horror at this idea, then I suggest you look into the ins and outs of how your meat and dairy is made. If you’re a herbivore, then know companies across this burgeoning industry are currently looking at ways to eliminate this method altogether – so there is still hope.
But then there's the money involved, because it's all very expensive. Beckie Calder-Flynn, operations co-ordinator at Dutch food technology company Mosa Meat, recently told The Telegraph: "We estimate that commercialisation will bring the price of a burger down to €9 (Dh36), compared with the €250,000 it cost to make the first burger." This will certainly make it affordable to many, but it will by no means be accessible to all.
So, is lab-grown meat the answer to some of the biggest world’s problems? It does seem like a better solution than the one we have now, if people will insist on continuing to eat meat. But it doesn’t beat going vegan – and that’s another fact.
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
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Price: On request
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
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Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
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