Scientists unveil first lab-grown burger
5 Aug 2013
The burger, which is made from the muscle cells of a cow, represents the possibility to make Cultured Beef commercially available by 2020.
Professor Mark Post of Maastricht University, the expert behind the alternative meat production technique, cooked and eat the first ever Cultured Beef burger on Monday afternoon.
The event was broadcast from 1pm BST on Monday and can be seen here via the Cultured Beef video link.
The idea is set to pave the way for food production that does not affect the environment or require the use of livestock for meat.
20,000 such strands are needed to make one 140g burger - approximately 5oz
The cells are cultured in a laboratory by scientists who place them in a nutrient solution to create muscle tissue. The tissue is grown by placing the cells in a ring around a hub of gel.
The muscle cells grow into small strands of meat. 20,000 such strands are needed to make one 140g burger - approximately 5oz.
“What we are going to attempt is important because I hope it will show Cultured Beef has the answers to major problems that the world faces,” said Professor Mark Post.
A feature on The Guardian website shows how the lab was able to create the Cultured Beef and follows an investigation into whether or not people would be prepared to eat it.
