Will people be able to overcome their ‘disgust’ of lab-grown meat?
Some people are put-off by clean meat because they perceive it as unnatural. But there are plenty of unnatural substances in our diets (e.g., bread, cheese and wine). And some argue that factory farming is more unnatural than anything that could happen in a lab.
BRIAN KATEMAN: ‘Meat is in the midst of a PR disaster. The animal agriculture industry is responsible for almost 15% of the world’s manmade greenhouse gas emissions, while meat consumption is associated with a higher risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and most other common causes of death… One study found that 39% of Americans were incorporating more plant-based foods into their diets in 2017.
There has been huge growth in the number of plant-based alternatives to meat, which means that people don’t have to drastically change, cut down, or compromise on their favorite foods. “Bleeding” plant-based burgers that cook, look, smell, and taste like the real thing…
There has been some hypothetical research to gauge the demand for clean meat before it comes to market–and some of it doesn’t look particularly promising. Research found that some people are unwilling to eat clean meat, even when they know how it’s made. One study found that 43% of people would prefer to eat animal-based foods even when clean meat is the same price. One of the main reasons people are put off is because they perceive clean meat as unnatural.
But there are plenty of unnatural substances in our diets. Bread, cheese, yogurt, and wine, for example, are derived from natural ingredients that are then processed. And some argue that factory farming is more unnatural than anything that could happen in a lab… However, lab-grown meat may actually be healthier than “natural” meat because it could reduce the risk of contracting of meat-born illness like salmonella and E.Coli.
Finding food unnatural is part of our disgust reaction, which is a universal human emotion that scientists say we develop as a defense mechanism to avoid infections and disease, or ingesting anything poisonous. It’s a complex reaction that hinges on both rational and irrational, learned and in-built impulses… The foods we find disgusting largely come down to exposure.
Most Americans don’t see anything unnatural about the idea of eating animals per se, and eat pigs, cows, and chicken without hesitation. But many would be disgusted by the suggestion of putting a monkey’s leg in their hotdog buns; the only difference is what we’ve been socially primed to see as acceptable. This means there is hope for clean meat yet, because it suggests we can become less disgusted by foods the more we’re exposed to them’. SOURCE…
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