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PETA Offering $1M Prize for Test Tube Meat

Animal-rights group nearly splinters over research reward

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 21, 2008 10:21 AM CDT
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(Newser) – PETA is offering a $1 million reward to the first researchers who can figure out a commercially viable artificial meat-production system, the New York Times reports. Scientists have been working on in vitro meat for years, hoping to grow edible tissue cultures that could replace slaughtered livestock. But there was a “near civil war” within the animal-rights group over the reward.

In vitro meat wouldn’t just be more humane—it would, theoretically, also be more environmentally friendly, free from disease and cheaper. But many PETA members still opposed even test-tube meat consumption. “Animals are not ours to eat,” said one PETA vice president. “I remember saying I would be much more comfortable promoting eating roadkill.”

PETA thinks the million dollar prize will engender more than a million dollar's worth of research spending.
PETA thinks the million dollar prize will engender more than a million dollar's worth of research spending.   (Shutterstock)
Scientists have been working on in vitro meat for years.
Scientists have been working on in vitro meat for years.   (Shutterstock)
In vitro meat would be more environmentally friendly, and wouldn't have the risk of disease associated with real livestock.
In vitro meat would be more environmentally friendly, and wouldn't have the risk of disease associated with real livestock.   (Shutterstock)
But many in PETA are disgusted at the thought of promoting meat - even meat that no animal died to produce.
But many in PETA are disgusted at the thought of promoting meat - even meat that no animal died to produce.   (Shutterstock)
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food • science • meat • PETA • in vitro meat

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