Stem Cell-Derived Artificial Beef Debuts In U.K. To Mixed Reviews

Will the unveiling of the world’s first artificial hamburger meat prove to be a major step forward in the fight to end world hunger? The event, which took place in the U.K., did not answer that question, but did show that researchers and academics are working hard to find ways to meet the growing demand for meat and to feed the world’s growing population, expected to hit nine billion within four decades. The burger, which was grown in a nutrient tub among bovine fetus stem cells, was given tepid taste reviews. Tasters said it had good consistency, but lacked juiciness (because of the absence of fat). Google co-founder Sergey Brin reportedly spent $388,000 on the five-year project, which was admittedly a “work in progress”.