Mammoth DNA used to make meatball
An Australian startup called Vow has recently unveiled a giant meatball made from the DNA of an extinct woolly mammoth. The company used the genetic information obtained from the long-extinct animal and filled the missing parts with African elephant DNA to create a sheep cell, which was then multiplied until it was sufficient to form a meatball.
Sustainable alternative to real meat
The meatball was designed to promote cultured meat as a sustainable alternative to real meat. According to Vow, lab-grown meat is more environmentally friendly as it does not require livestock to be killed for its production, reducing the ecological footprint of the agricultural sector. By eliminating the need for animal rearing, cultured meat could dramatically reduce greenhouse emissions, decrease water usage and land use.
A 4,000-year-old protein with the aroma of crocodile meat
The mammoth DNA used in creating the meatball contained a singular gene called myoglobin, which gives flesh its texture and taste. Scientists believe that this gene causes the aroma and flavor of crocodile meat. The protein component of Vow’s mammoth meatball is estimated to be 4,000 years old.
Cultured meat not yet regulated in European Union
While it is still undergoing rigorous testing before being sold commercially, the presentation of Vow’s mammoth meatball in Amsterdam highlights ongoing efforts among companies worldwide looking into cultured and lab-grown meat products as a potentially more sustainable food option.
The European Union has yet to regulate cultivated meats, but tiny Singapore has given the green light on consuming cell-based meats. Experts suggest that widespread acceptance of this technology could greatly reduce environmental impacts of animal husbandry by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with industrial-scale animal farming.
A source of protein that gets people talking about the future of meat
The mammoth meatball is a one-off creation and is not intended for sale. Instead, it serves as a conversation starter about the future of meat production. Vow aims to create more exciting and unique food options with new technology, rather than replicating traditional meat products. The company says that its mammoth meatball project aims to open up new conversations about cultivated meat’s extraordinary potential to produce more sustainable foods while freeing up land used for animal rearing.
Conclusion
Vow’s presentation of a mammoth DNA meatball has sparked debate about the potential of cultured meat and its impact on food sustainability. While it is still in development, scientists and startups are studying alternative meat products such as plant-based meats or lab-grown proteins, with the eventual aim of reducing the ecological footprint of industrial-scale animal agriculture while still providing protein sources for consumers worldwide.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
