A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Osnabrück has shed light on the potential for in-vitro meat to become a staple in German diets. In January 2021, Singapore became the first country to approve the sale of a product made from lab-grown meat, but in Germany, the sale of such products is still not permitted. The study aimed to gauge consumer attitudes towards in-vitro meat, with around 500 participants aged 18 and over taking part in the survey.
According to the results published in the journal Foods, less than a third of respondents (32%) had heard of in-vitro meat, but over half (65%) said they would be willing to try a burger made from lab-grown meat. Additionally, almost half (47%) said they would prefer a burger made from in-vitro meat over one made from conventional meat. The researchers also investigated the factors that influenced individual acceptance of lab-grown meat, finding that a positive attitude towards novel products and pressure from important reference persons were key drivers of consumption. However, the fear of the new production process was identified as the strongest barrier to the consumption of in-vitro meat.
In-vitro meat is produced from muscle stem cells using cell and tissue culture techniques, and is considered to be a more sustainable alternative to conventional meat production. It requires less land and water, and does not involve the slaughter of animals. “For the meat from cell cultures, animals only serve as stem cell donors – a factor that cannot be neglected in the current animal welfare debate,” said doctoral candidate Jacqueline Dupont. The authors of the study suggest that information campaigns should focus on highlighting the similarities between lab-grown meat and conventional meat in order to increase acceptance.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential for in-vitro meat to become a viable alternative to conventional meat in Germany, and highlights the need for further research and education to address consumer concerns and promote acceptance of this innovative technology.
