Emerging Profiles for Cultured Meat; Ethics through and as Design

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Ethics
• Sociology

Background:

• Growing concerns about conventional meat production necessitate innovative solutions.
• Existing ethical discussions on cultured meat primarily focus on animal welfare and sustainability.
• The full societal and ethical implications of cultured meat are yet to be explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To move beyond the two dominant moral profiles of cultured meat.
• To explore novel ethical frameworks for cultured meat consumption.
• To integrate emotional and imaginative elements into ethical considerations of cultured meat.

Main Methods:

• Workshops were conducted to gather insights and explore future possibilities.
• Qualitative analysis of participant discussions and reflections.
• Exploration of the concept of "the pig in the backyard" moral profile.

Main Results:

• Identified a third moral profile, "the pig in the backyard," envisioning a hybrid human-animal community.
• Cultured meat can foster a balance between consuming animal protein and maintaining meaningful human-animal relationships.
• Discussions around cultured meat also stimulate new perspectives on traditional meat consumption.

Conclusions:

• The ethical landscape of cultured meat is broader than currently recognized.
• Integrating "gut" feelings and imagination alongside rational thought can expand moral identities.
• Ethics can actively guide the development and societal integration of cultured meat by fostering a holistic approach.