Eduk wrote: ↑May 13th, 2018, 6:17 am
Alias I take it you are based in America? I am from England. Here such news stories of animal cruelty and factory farming are front and centre news. At least that is my experience.
I live in Canada, and we get the odd expose of chicken or cattle abuse on CBC. It's not widely disseminated or commercially encouraged, but it does exist. In the States, the backlash is as much stronger as agribusiness is richer. Of course, whenever there is a conservative government, anything science- or environment-related tends to be suppressed.
The problem in England, and I am sure elsewhere, is that very often the choice is between eating meat whose provenance is unknown (and could normally assumed to be quite bad) or not eating meat.
We've been managing fine with the second option for 30 years. Eggs and dairy products make it a lot easier, especially living in the country, near small family and co-op farms. Yes, it's a compromise. I'm perfectly aware that most people of conscience have to settle for some kind of compromise. Very few can opt out of their economic and cultural milieu. But all have the power to make some considered, informed decisions.
As to the clean meat, commercially practical versions are a lot closer than you seem to think.
With JUST products in more than 20,000 stores, plans to release lab-grown clean meat onto the market by the end of the year at a retail price within 30 percent of that of traditional meat, Tetrick is optimistic about the future of the company and the global food system.
"In tomorrow's world, you can eat more meat, hopefully safer meat, even better tasting meat, without eating the animal," says Tetrick.
https://reason.com/reasontv/2018/04/26/ ... at-tetrick
It takes a lot of energy - like any industrial operation - but when you compare it to the demands of 'traditional' meat production, I'm pretty sure we'll end up with a net saving. When you factor in the pollution and waste cleanup, I'm absolutely sure it'll be a net gain. The investors aren't in it for the ethical perks - they're doing it in the expectation of serious profit.