$10M To Go Into First Ever Protein Research Center In The US, Funded By USDA

19 October 2021

What would happen if meat was banned overnight? While this might sound impossible, with the kind of lifestyle choices people are making these days, animal agriculture and the meat industry will soon face a backlash, at least a few years from now. So what could be an alternate? Not just for those who don't want to eat meat but for meat lovers as well? Cultured meat is seeing rapid development in research, and many governments and institutes are coming together to invest in cell-based meat development and production.

Tufts University, soon going to be the home of the National Institute of Cellular Agriculture. This will be the first-ever government-funded protein research center in the US. The USDA grants $10M for the development of this institute which will be the first of its investments in researching cultivated protein.

The USDA has invested $146M in sustainable agriculture projects and the National Institute for Cellular Agriculture is a part of it. The new institute will aim to cut down the environmental footprint of meat production by 40% by dedicating the institute to research in cultivated meat. Some of the initial projects of the university will be to develop FBS-free cost-effective media and sustainable biomaterial scaffolds, study consumer acceptance to lab-grown meat, and find new ways to make cell-based meat as a standalone product.

Image Source: The Conversation

The university aims to study, develop and create awareness through education for the next generation of professionals in understanding cellular agriculture to promote and expand climate-friendly protein options.

"USDA's historic funding for a National Institute for Cellular Agriculture is an important advancement for cultivated meat research and science. I am pleased that USDA's leadership continues to recognize the important role these technologies can play in combating climate change and adding much-needed resiliency to our food system," said Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).

Cultured meat stands as the only solution to answer the global demand for meat. This will also curb the carbon footprint and animal exploitation that costs heavily on the planet's health. David Kaplan, an expert in cultivated meat will head the team and will be joined by other investigators from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, MIT, University of California-Davis, and Virginia Tech.

Assistant Speaker Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA): "This is a major step forward in our work to tackle climate change, infuse resiliency into our food systems, and build a stronger, more sustainable future. I am thrilled that this historic grant will be housed in the 5th District at Tufts University, a true leader in cultivated meat research, and am eager to see this transformative research brought to life," said Rep. Katherine Clark whose district includes the Tufts School of Engineering, where this research will primarily take place.

Many countries are investing heavily in the R&D of cultured meat and alternate sources of protein that are safer for the planet and reduce the dependency on animals for meat. If all goes well, we will soon see cultured meat or lab-grown meat as a part of every food menu in restaurants. Also, with people realizing and making conscious choices, it only makes it fair to invest in such projects.

Also Read: Alia Bhatt Invests in phool.co which produces bio leather from waste flowers

Read More: 100% Cruelty-Free Lab-Grown Meat to hit India by 2025