• Question: If we could 3D print meat, would vegans eat it?

    Asked by anon-198875 to Srinath, Natasha, Nana, Luisa, Gautam, Alex on 12 Mar 2019.
    • Photo: Alexander Allen

      Alexander Allen answered on 12 Mar 2019:


      Amazing question!

      There are loads and loads of reasons for becoming vegan. It’s not just one reason. Let’s think about what all the different types might think!

      The vegans who don’t eat meat because of health mostly wouldn’t eat meat…(depending on if they see meat as unhealthy in itself or due to farming methods).

      Vegans who hate meat based on the impact on the environment might be all for it!

      Those who hate animal cruelty may take a lot of different choices but it may represent a really nice alternative to meat.

      How will lab-grown meat develop? It’s still in its early stages and as long as it doesn’t create a new ethical problem it might be the way forward but there are so many choices to make based on lots of different reasons.

      Short answer: Some vegans would but some wouldn’t… depending on why they were vegan

    • Photo: Srinath Kasturirangan

      Srinath Kasturirangan answered on 13 Mar 2019:


      I am vegetarian – I eat eggs and dairy but not meat. My wife and I used to go to this vegan Chinese restaurant which used to have this dish called the “Peking Duck” on its menu. It was made of quorn – a type of soy and was cut and shaped to look like a duck, legs and all. I always wondered why someone would want to eat that!? To me the idea of faux meat makes no sense. It is like people wearing a nicotine patch to kick their smoking habit! I personally would not eat 3D printed meat or anything that is referred to or looks like or has the texture of “meat”!

    • Photo: Natasha Dowey

      Natasha Dowey answered on 14 Mar 2019:


      This is a really important question. Meat substitutes are going to become a part of our future, whether we like it or not- a part of the fight against climate change, and to deal with our ever-growing population. My view is that a current vegan may not be fussed about fake meat like this- the vegans I know are happy to eat soya, tofu, quorn, etc in its current forms, along with a pretty varied diet of nuts, pulses and veg.
      However- I think meat-substitutes are going to be a really important way of encouraging current meat-eaters to give up real meat and try going vegetarian. If more meat eaters are willing to give this kind of technology a try, it will be a massive benefit to our planet. I think the technology may be a ways off yet though!

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