this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2023
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This is quite a bit easier to accomplish than meat (as a product people want to consume). This is genetically modified yeast that produces cotton fibers. The same thing is done to produce insulin, and many other products.
Meat is far more complex though. It's not super difficult to grow meat, but it is in a form that resembles meat people expect and want. You can't just grow muscle. You need to have the correct ratio of fats, and not just the correct ratio, but it should be in the meat in an expected way, not just a seperate layer on top. It's complicated. It will be a huge benefit when it's available, but there are probably dozens of companies already working on it.
See now there's a factor I hadn't really thought on. People likely wouldn't even know the difference with this, though you'll probabbly end up with some 'expert' class that claims natural grow is superior in some way or another. Food has the aspects of presentation texture amd taste to contend with. I wonder if the way in for lab meats might actually be through fast food and the like. Nobody is ever going to McDonalds and praising the wonderful texture and balance of their burgers and nuggets, it's just something to eat. Get people accustomed to it that way and let it grow from there.