03/01/07 Too high tech

Too High Tech I just read an article that didn't set well with my stomach. I'm Jeff Keane. I'll be right back after this to tell you about it. An article in "Beef" magazine by Lorne McClinton really bothered my stomach and convinced my mind we may be a little too high-tech. Notice how I mentioned my stomach before my mind; a man has to have priorities. The article was about growing test tube meat. Yeah! Test-tube meat  not for me thank you very much. I thought we were heading in the direction of all natural and organic foods. The only thing natural about the process to produce in vitro beef is the satellite cells scientists steal from a cow using a biopsy. These cells are the precursors to muscle cells and are put into a vat of "nutritious soup" where they divide into millions of daughter cells in a matter of days. These are poured on a sheet and placed in the bioreactor to grow for a couple of weeks and presto, you have a meat product you can grind into a cattle-free quarter pounder. Currently the process can only produce meat that is comparable to processed products, not steak. I would hope not. Proponents of test tube meat claim there would be no bone, waste or offal to dispose, fat could be precisely controlled and the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. While the reality of in vitro beef production competing with traditional production is probably years off, the technology is there. Personally, give me beef from a beef animal and my stomach will be happy. I think County of Origin Labeling just took on a whole new meaning. I'm Jeff Keane. Beef February 2007