Test-tube meat on Science Friday (NPR)

[bananas]

http://www.sciencefriday.com/
listen on-line at www.wpr.org or other NPR stations.

edit to add more info:

http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200804252

Towards Test-Tube Meat? (broadcast Friday, April 25th, 2008)

This week, animal rights group PETA announced the group would offer a million-dollar prize for the development of commercially-viable 'test-tube meat' -- real meat grown through a lab process, not from a live animal. The prize money would be awarded to the contest participant able to make the first in vitro chicken meat and sell it to the public by June 30, 2012. To win, the lab-grown meat must also have a taste and texture indistinguishable from real chicken flesh, be produced in large enough quantities to be sold commercially, and successfully sold at a competitive price in at least 10 states.

The process would likely invove some of the same techniques used now by medical researchers to grow tissue for medical procedures -- but would also need special conditions to produce tastes and textures similar to those fo natural meat. Earlier this month, researchers met in Norway for the 'First International In Vitro Meat Symposium.' Can a prize for the development of artificial meat spur research innovation in the same way that prizes have sparked competition in human space flight and robotic vehicles research? In this segment, we'll talk about the possibility, and how close science is to being able to grow a lab-made steak for your weekend cookout. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.
Guests

Vladimir Mironov
Tan Chin Tuan Fellow, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore
Associate Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Related Links
First International In Vitro Meat Symposium
New Harvest
PETA In Vitro Meat Contest

Segment produced by:Karin Vergoth

[glowing]

1. Ok, I don't think that I want that meat.. I think I'd rather convert.. and

really, I don't eat all that much meat during a week.. once most often on occassion twice (and that would be a week I eat fish as the other meat).

[Indenturedebtor]

6. I'd eat it.

:shrug: Better for the environment... and think about future space missions ;)

[bullimiami]

2. chickie knobs anyone?

[moggie]

3. By 2012?

How long would it take to get FDA approval?

[Posteritatis]

5. 3012, assuming the expected kneejerking (nt)

[napoleon_in_rags]

4. Its a great project.

Kinda like AI in computer science, it may not yield what they wanted but a bunch of other advances in medicine and food production could be made.

[unpossibles]

7. I think it's a great idea

I've not eaten meat in many years, so I doubt I'd partake, but I have to say I agree with the idea of it for many reasons.