Scientists grow meat in laboratory

Dutch scientists have announced that, by autumn, they expect to have created the first ever hamburger made entirely from meat grown in the laboratory.

The hamburger will be made from bovine stem cells, grown in a petri dish. The goal of the project, which is being funded by an anonymous benefactor, is to be able to mass produce meat in the laboratory and thus help eliminate the global warming effects of livestock farming, according to project leader Mark Post from Maastricht University.

According to the UN, animal farming takes up some 30% of the world’s land and demand for meat is expected to double over the next forty years.

The scientists estimate that commercial production of meat in this fashion is at least ten years away.

In July 2008, PETA – the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation, a UK charity – announced a $1 million prize for the first team to develop and sell large quantities of laboratory-grown chicken.

The Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal, who is famous for his work with unusual combinations of ingredients – such as snail porridge and bacon and egg ice cream - and cooking methods will prepare the artificial burger for eating at a special tasting in October.