Space meat grown in lab for first time, 210 miles from Earth
- Israeli company successfully cultures bovine cells on International Space Station
Lab-grown meat has been successfully cultured in space for the first time.
The Israeli food technology startup Aleph Farms grew the meat on the International Space Station, 339km (210 miles) away from any natural resources.
Bovine cells were harvested on Earth and taken to space where they were grown into small-scale muscle tissue using a 3D bioprinter. The method relies on mimicking a natural process of muscle-tissue regeneration occurring inside a cow’s body.
The experiment took place on September 26 on the Russian segment of the space station, and involved the assembly of small-scale muscle tissue in a 3D bioprinter under controlled microgravity conditions. In future the technique could be used to provide meat for people living on the space station.
The development marks a further step forward for a nascent industry that aims to provide people with real meat without the environmental impact and welfare problems of intensive livestock production.
In December, Aleph Farms announced it had produced a prototype “strip” of steak grown from cells in the lab in two weeks, although it admitted the taste needed to be improved.
