Session 7
SESSION 7: REVIEW
Topics covered:
- BioBusiness Revolution: Agribiology, Environmental Life Sciences and Industrial Biotechnology (Past, Present and Future)
Brief Overview/ Summary
- BioBusiness Revolution: Agribiology, Environmental Life Sciences and Industrial Biotechnology (Past, Present and Future)
First off, we started the session by watching a video on sustainable agriculture and the environment.
We then reviewed what we discussed about BioBusiness last week. Basically, BioBusiness is commercial activity based on an understanding of life sciences and life science processes. This includes the biomedical and agri-vetinary areas. Last week, we focused on the Biomedical sector of BioBusiness. This week, we focused on the Agri-Veterinary, Food, Environmental and Industrial sectors of BioBusiness. To provide a clearer example of what these sectors encompass:
Agribiology
- Agribiology vs. Agribiotechnology
Genetic Modification of Crops
- Agribiology vs. Agribiotechnology
Environmental Life Sciences
- Waste Mangement
- Bioremediation
Maintaining Biodiversity
- Waste Mangement
Industrial Life Sciences
- Industrial Enzymes
- BioFuels
- Biotech in Mining and other industries
- Industrial Enzymes
Following the discussion on the weekly readings, 4 of my classmates were given the opportunity to present on interesting articles they came across that were in line with this week's topic.
Interesting Observations and Ideas/Key Takeaways
One of the presentations this session that really grabbed my attention was the presentation by my friend, Olivia. She talked about the possibility of in-vitro meat production in the future, or lab-grown meat. Basically, meat is grown in the lab through the process of cloning muscle cells from the desired animal. Sample cells are extracted from the animal and placed in a nutrient solution. Then, the cloned cells are stretched mechanically to simulate muscle use in the animal. Eventually, a boneless piece of meat is produced. Why is this so amazing? To fully understand the impact of lab grown meat, an understanding of the current problems surrounding meat production is required.
PROBLEMS WITH CONVENTIONAL MEAT PRODUCTION
Nutrition related diseases
- A third of global mortality is meat-related.
- 25% of all heart diseases are due to conventionally produced meats
- A third of global mortality is meat-related.
Food borne diseases
- 500 deaths in US each year are due to meat-related causes
- 500 deaths in US each year are due to meat-related causes
Inefficient use of increasingly scarce resources
- Intensive meat production is 25% as energy efficient as soybean production. Energy is lost through the process of raising livestock.
- It will be substantially easier to obtaining mankind's food exclusively from
- Intensive meat production is 25% as energy efficient as soybean production. Energy is lost through the process of raising livestock.
Pollution
- 1.4 billion tons of farm animal waste is generated annually in the US. How much more is generated in countries where farming and agriculture are the main economic activities?
- 1.4 billion tons of farm animal waste is generated annually in the US. How much more is generated in countries where farming and agriculture are the main economic activities?
POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES OF LAB-GROWN MEAT
Meat Composition
- Growing meat artificially will allow for better control of fat content. Perhaps one day, we will be able to go to the store and purchase "low-fat" meat just like we do with milk today.
- Growing meat artificially will allow for better control of fat content. Perhaps one day, we will be able to go to the store and purchase "low-fat" meat just like we do with milk today.
Replacement of exotic meats
- Since the process of growing meat is basically cloning of cells, a whole new range of meat options will be available to the consumers. Dinosaur meat anybody?
- Since the process of growing meat is basically cloning of cells, a whole new range of meat options will be available to the consumers. Dinosaur meat anybody?
Reduced animal use
- Theoretically, you only need 1 farm animal to produce the worlds meat supply since you only need to extract sample tissue.
- Theoretically, you only need 1 farm animal to produce the worlds meat supply since you only need to extract sample tissue.
Issues for Further Discussion
I have a couple of questions which I feel should be raised regarding lab meat.
With all the benefits surrounding lab-grown meat,
- Would you be willing to try it? (When it becomes more affordable, of course.)
- Why/Why not?
What might be done to encourage and promote acceptance of lab meat in the future?
- Would you be willing to try it? (When it becomes more affordable, of course.)
An interesting point was raised during the class discussion of the possibility of in-vitro meat production.
- Instead of directing large amounts of resources towards creating artificial meat, wouldn't it be better if those resources were used to improve the current meat production processes and solving the problems that plague the meat industry today?
- Instead of directing large amounts of resources towards creating artificial meat, wouldn't it be better if those resources were used to improve the current meat production processes and solving the problems that plague the meat industry today?
(7.5/10) This session was probably one of the best TWC sessions I've had since the start of term. Discussions were interesting and there was a very obvious "flow" in the class progression, if you know what I mean. Sometimes, everything that goes on during class feels quite disjointed with no real relevance and connection between topics and discussions.
