Hochschartner: Congress must support alternative protein research

With China including cultivated meat in its latest five-year agricultural plan, the United States should make sure it isn’t left behind by investing heavily into cellular-agriculture development.

For those who don’t know, cultivated meat is grown from animal cells, without slaughter. It’s better for animals, the environment and our health. 

“This nationwide strategic initiative could accelerate the country’s regulatory timeline for cultivated meat, drive more research and investment into the alternative protein industry and fuel broader consumer acceptance of these products,” said Josh Tetrick, the CEO of food-technology company Eat Just. “In short, this is one of — if not the most — important policy actions in the history of alternative proteins.” 

Our legislators should support increased federal funding for cultivated-meat research. This will help bring these revolutionary products to market faster at a competitive price with slaughtered meat.

In order to reduce the suffering we inflict on animals, our greenhouse-gas emissions, and our pandemic risk, we have to keep pace with China.