Israeli start-up cultivates 'slaughter-free' meat in space - a first

In another 'out-of-this-world' breakthrough, an Isreal food technology company Aleph Farms on Monday announced that it had successfully cultivated meat in outer space, for the first time. Collaborating with the International Space Station (ISS), Aleph Farms stated that it had achieved this feat regardless of the availability of land and local water resources. The company said this development was a milestone towards promising sustainable food anywhere, leaving a minimal environmental footprint. This achievement makes Aleph Farms the first to produce 'slaughter-free' meat in space.

'Slaughter-free' meat grown in space

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What is 'slaughter-free' meat?

According to international reports, this experiment commenced on September 26 at the Russian segment of the International Space Station. As there is unavailability of natural resources at the ISS which is 340 km above the earth, the scientists had to use futuristic technology. The company already produces 'slaughter-free' meat on earth based on tissue building from cows, according to its website. It replicates the naturally occurring process in cows by isolating the cells responsible for this process and growing them in the same conditions.

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How did they 'grow' meat in space?

But in space, developing such kind of suitable environment is difficult. As per international reports, certain Bovine cells were amassed on Earth. They were reportedly gathered and taken to space. At the ISS with the help of a ‘3D Bioprinter’ these Bovine Cells were developed into small scale tissue, stated reports. Emulating the natural operation of muscle tissue regeneration in a cow’s body, these conditions were reportedly closely monitored and carried on under supervised microgravity conditions.

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What is its future scope?

Earlier in December 2018, Aleph Farm had announced that it had generated a prototype “strip” of steak that it grew in lab within two weeks time. Aleph Farms states that with this achievement it could ensure food security for future generations. It also states that with their space-grown meat, future generations could cultivate meat anywhere, while preserving natural resources on Earth. This could open a new era in food technology, say experts. 

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