The Viability of Production of In-Vitro Meat - Essay Example

VIABILITY OF IN-VETRO MEAT PRODUCTION IN SUSTAINING GLOBAL POPULATION Student’s name Course &Code Professor’s name University City Date In-Vitro Meat is the Most Viable Solution for Providing Protein to an Expanding World Population Introduction The use of livestock for food production has always been an essential part of human existence on earth. In this regard, its impact has until recent years been primarily positive both economically and socially (Haagsman et al, 2015). As such, current methods of production are rather viable and demanding leading to a well manufactured product valid for protein production for human existence (Haagsman et al, 2015). Essentially, the livestock sector is the fastest growing agricultural sector globally employing a significant number of up to 1.3 billion people in the world and supporting almost 4 billion people globally, (Steinfeld et al, 2012). Nevertheless, drought and other livestock diseases have been a challenge to this agricultural sub-sector but it is estimated that meat products are a viable protein provider to human ensuring sustainability of human population globally (Haagsman et al, 2015). Additionally, human beings are taxonomically omnivorous and as a result meat provides several essential nutrients unavailable in plant sources. In this regard, In-Vitro meat is a type of meat manufactured through tissue engineering with specialist under a controlled environment in the lab commonly referred to as “test tube meat” (Haagsman et al, 2015). The process involves removal of tissue from a muscle from a livestock then processed and muscle cells are then grown under tension to bulk them up (Mail online, 2012). Consequently, this type of meat has a high percentage of protein content and from research studies it is proved that In-Vitro meat is viable solution for sustaining and improving human population globally. Thesis Statement This essay shall broadly discuss the viability of production of In-Vitro meat as the most fundamental solution in protein provision to an expanding world population because it does not violate animal rights. Additionally, this type of meat production helps in saving global warming since the process involved in the production is environmental sensitive. As such, I shall broadly base on some arguments to support my stand about the importance of In-Vitro meat as a protein provider in sustaining world’s population. Argument One Firstly, In-Vitro meat is a viable source of protein because only muscle cells are required instead of a whole cow (Nextnature.net, 2014). Additionally, the most uplifting promise in its production is that it shall be good for animals since animal cells are only needed to make it. After extraction of these cells from the muscles, algae can be used to feed these cells and as a result no animal shall suffer for production of this meat (Nextnature.net, 2014). The global consumption of meat is rising steadily in many countries and its moral reputation is shrinking due to problems associated with meat production which end up making the cow suffer the consequences. Animals’ Rights need to be observed keenly in the production of meat as stipulated by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In this regard, any method of meat production need to be animal sensitive and it is not supposed to violate its rights. As such, In-Vitro meat production is recommended since it does not involve the whole cow but only the tissue from its muscles hence ensuring continuity in livestock. Counter Argument Despite being recommended by PETA this type of meat production is to some extend expensive since the production needs advanced technology (Futurefood.org, 2015). The process involved in In-Vitro meat production bases on advanced technology as a result, any country that needs to embark n this type of production needs to set aside enough money for purchase and setting up of the In-Vitro meat production industry. Additionally, there is need for skilled personnel to work on the production of In-Vitro meat and provision of algae needed for tissue growth is also expensive. Refutation This type of production is identical compared to animal muscle tissue and lab grown tissues eaten daily by human beings despite being costly in production (Guy, 2013). Consequently, it is more viable in protein provision to human beings ensuring global population sustainability since it adds on the muscle tissues that are eaten in every day of our lives due to the organic nature of our daily foods. This type of meat compliments the natural organic tissues eaten from natural foods hence viable for global population sustainability (The Independent.2013). As such, it should be used for protein provision in order to sustain the expanding population globally. Argument Two Secondly, In-Vitro meat prevents up to 51% of manmade green house gases in which most of it is animal waste (Kneidel, 2009). The process is done under a controlled environment in the laboratory which ensures that the gasses emitted to the atmosphere do not cause environmental pollution. Consequently, the process is viable since it does not pose a challenge to human species by producing manmade greenhouse gasses thereby able to sustain an expanding human population globally (Kneidel, 2009). Essentially, the transport sector which includes movement of people and goods by cars, trucks, trains, ships, airplanes and other automotive means posses a high percentage of green house effect on human beings globally (Epa.gov, 2015). Greenhouse emission trends have been rising significantly and in 2013, greenhouse gas emissions accounted for about 27% of total gas emitted in the United States of America (Epa.gov, 2015). Counter Argument There are other sectors apart from the transport sector such as production of electricity, manufacture of gasses, oils and other chemically related industries that produce a significant amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. In effect, these gases lead to global warning that poses a threat to human existence (Nextnature.net.2014). Reduction of these emissions has been tried but it does not add up to a significant prevention of greenhouse effect. As such, human health is affected by these gases globally due to dangerous gasses such as Methane, and nitrous oxide. Evidently, sustaining the growing population of human beings globally becomes a challenge since environmentally friendly sources production means are few and expensive to meet. Refutation In-Vitro meat production is a significant aspect to consider since it prevents up to 51% of manmade greenhouse gases that no other meat production company or other human related greenhouse gases emissions (Kneidel, 2009). As a fore mentioned this type of production shall sustain the human population globally since it is environmental friendly. Despite existence of arguments that there are other means of greenhouse gases that are still produced by some sectors like transportation, In-Vitro offers high chances of prevention of greenhouse gases and it has to be considered to ensure sustainability of human population globally (PETA, 2015). Argument Three Lastly, In-Vitro meat production helps in the discontinuation of the use of animals as bioreactors to grow food and other products (Futurefood.org. 2015). Essentially, for the past decades, animals have been used as bioreactors to grow food and other products that can provide a viable source of proteins for human survival. As such, most animals have been deprived of their rights stipulated by PETA in the effort of achieving this aspect. However, the end result did not produce the required amount of proteins to sustain the vast global population. The food and other products produced by the animal bioreactors were not consumer demanding posing a challenge to human existence (Futurefood.org. 2015). Due to rapid population growth globally, the most populous countries initiated In-Vitro meat production to supplement protein demand without violating animal rights (PETA, 2015). As such, the most important reason for In-Vitro production was to reach the consumer demand. Counter Argument All people are not interested in cultured meat despite being a successful product produced in a viable environment meeting their own personal demand varies (Haagsman et al, 2015). Most important the In-Vitro meat production ensures animal sustainable since meat has become a viable source of human food supply but this does not fulfill the needs of all people across the globe. Refutation The daily expanding global population cannot depend on meat produced locally by slaughtering cows since the population overrides the animal population. as a result, In-Vitro meat comes in to compliment the deficit. Animal use as a factory farming shall be reduced enabling nutrition growth in the world’s population with reduced ecological impact since the ecological cycle shall not be broken. Evidently, In-Vitro meat production is viable for global population sustainability. Conclusion Conclusively, the global population is estimated to increase with 50% during the next 40 years. This population increase shall be accompanied with almost a doubling figure of greenhouse gas emissions if no actions are taken. Additionally, it is anticipated that the global meat consumption shall also double the current percentage. As such, other sources of meat production that are environment friendly and bases on PETA regulations need to be implemented. In this regard, I support the act of In-Vitro meat production as a viable source of proteins that can sustain the expanding global population since it is environmentally friendly as it prevents up to 51% of manmade greenhouse gases emission and it does not violate animal rights as stipulated by PETA. Consequently, this type of production shall meet the consumer demands since it is produced under a supervised environment using modern technology. The engineers involved in the production of In-Vitro meat have the necessary skills making the meat viable for protein provision. Reference List Epa.gov. (2015). Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Transportation Sector Emissions. Climate Change US EPA. [Online] Available at: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/transportation.html [Accessed 28 Jun. 2015]. Futurefood.org. (2015). Future Food - In Vitro Meat. [online] Available at: http://www.futurefood.org/in-vitro-meat/index_en.php [Accessed 28 Jun. 2015]. Haagsman, H. P, Hellingwerf, K.J & Roelen, B. J. A. (2015). Production of Animal Proteins by Cell Systems. Desk study on cultured mea. P. 33-45 Mail Online, (2012). Test-tube meat could become a reality this year as scientists work out how to make it profitable. [online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2087837/Test-tube-meat-reality-year-scientists-work-make-profitable.html [Accessed 28 Jun. 2015]. Nextnature.net.(2014). In Vitro Meat: Animal Liberation? NextNature.net. [online] Available at: http://www.nextnature.net/2014/11/in-vitro-meat-animal-liberation/ [Accessed 28 Jun. 2015]. PETA. (2015). Fight Climate Change by Going Vegan. [Online] Available at: http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/global-warming/ [Accessed 28 Jun. 2015]. PETA. (2015). PETA's 'In Vitro' Chicken Contest. [Online] Available at: http://www.peta.org/features/vitro-meat-contest/ [Accessed 28 Jun. 2015]. Steinfeld H, Gerber P, Wassenaar T, Castel V, Rosales M, De Haan, C (2012) Livestock’s long shadow: environmental issues and options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. P. xxi The Independent. (2013). Special report: 'In vitro' beef - it's the meat of the future. [Online] Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/special-report-in-vitro-beef--its-the-meat-of-the-future-8735104.html [Accessed 28 Jun. 2015]. Read More