Will Cultivated Meat Be the Next GMO? Learning from the Past to Shape the Future of Food Innovation

Executive Summary

The concept of meat grown from animal cells without livestock rearing and slaughter, also known as cultivated meat (CM), promises major environmental benefits in the face of rising meat consumption constrained by our world’s ecological resources. Nevertheless, CM risks inheriting and repeating the mistakes of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Like GMOs, CM faces skepticism over safety, “unnaturalness,” and opaque corporate practices.

This brief addresses key parallels with GMOs, as well as hurdles unique to CM, to identify several recommendations for the CM space. To avoid GMO-style backlash, CM can:

1. Proactively open its processes to independent research and voluntary labeling.        
2. Use tailored, benefit-focused messaging that addresses misconceptions directly.
3. Build coalitions with diverse stakeholders working towards the same sustainable food systems goals, from regenerative ranchers to food-insecure nations.
4. Identify receptive early adopters and explore non-food applications for cultivated cells.

Read the brief by F4Hi intern Zoe Adamopoulos