As meat consumption increases around the globe, food scientists are working harder to develop healthier, appetizing, and more sustainable plant-based protein nutrients replicating meat as well as poultry products including, cheese, eggs, and milk.

According to a BBC report, over 100,000 genetically modified barley plants are being grown in a greenhouse in Iceland for producing artificial meat. These genetic alterations along with the natural evolutionary changes have resulted in ordinary food that are now genetically distinct from their ancestors.

The modified barley was gathered and refined with an aim to eliminate the human race’s reliance on living animals in the meat sector. With meat production contributing to approximately 60% of all greenhouse gases, such a progression could have profound implications in our fight against climate change.

Utilizing Cultivation methods:

ORF Genetics, the organization behind the greenhouse is harvesting the biogenetically changed barley over 22,000 sq. feet by utilizing futuristic hydroponic cultivation methods. The growth factors that are uprooted from the barley’s seeds are of pivotal importance for the well-being of stem cells. In 2010, ORF created a skin care product by using the growth factor hormones. Over 10 years, the platform expects to enter the cell-cultured beef market. Growth factor hormones help the tissues containing animal muscles and fatty cells.

ORF Genetics director of protein technology, Arna Runarsdottir, reported to the BBC about the rise in population and how they’re responsible for their nourishment. Fortunately, artificially prepared meat would offer a plethora of benefits that might help feed the world if researchers could figure out how to produce it for the masses.

How it becomes a matter of concern?

The extract of Mesokine from a barley seed is said to be a budget-friendly and scalable technology compared to traditional growth factor sources.

Indeed, the cost of producing cell-based meat has decreased over time. For instance, a Chinese biotech company has recently revealed its lab-grown pork. However, the growth factor hormone is still a luxury ingredient that blocks the way of extensive manufacture and commercialization, but Mesokine might change that.

Social disruption ahead:

Beneficial outcomes of these genetic modifications include enhanced food production and improved nutritional values. These objectives continue to motivate research companies who have designed modern genetic modifications for recognizing, selecting, and analyzing individual living organisms that possess genetically attractive features.

In any food industry, there’re plenty of players, and some are more focused on sustainability than others. As an undetermined technology, it suggests that synthetic lab grown food might be harmful to the livelihoods of farmers, certainly in the progressing world. While reporting to the BBC, Arna Runarsdottir said that it’s a more reliable and environmental-friendly option compared to traditionally grown meat.