Globally, livestock production occupies 30% of the Earth's land. Cattle ranches are the primary cause of deforestation and habitat destruction. Livestock industries directly contribute to 18% of greenhouse gas emissions and share in the ethical burden of annually slaughtering over 54 billion animals worldwide. Zoonotic diseases emerging from animal farms (e.g. avian flu, BSE) threaten our existence.

The solution to these problems lies in the economical, commercial production of hydroponic meat as an equivalent commodity to traditional meat. Hydroponic meat is grown without the body of an animal and can potentially be produced efficiently and cruelty-free.

The majority of our population (97%) are consumers of meat. On an ethical and ecological basis it is important to provide non-vegetarians with an alternate choice that does not require a lifestyle change. Here in lies the rationale and purpose of hydroponic meat production. This product is not for vegetarians. Vegetarians do not demand meat for personal consumption. Vegetarians however, may decide to support hydroponic meat as a cruelty-free alternative for non-vegetarians.

Many vegan activists have voiced strong dissent towards hydroponic meat. This attitude is self-defeating. Traditional vegan advocacy strategies alone have been ineffective in reversing the trend of increasing meat consumption. The 1975 publication of Peter Singer's Animal Liberation inspired the modern animal rights movement. Since then, the per-capita meat consumption in the United States has increased by 20%.

Hydroponic meat research is not funded in the United States. To address this issue and start a hydroponic meat research initiative, I have entered a project titled "Hydroponic Meat for a Sustainable Planet" in the American Express members project competition. Awards for top voted projects range from $100K to $1.5M.

Top nominated projects will be selected by an advisory committee for award candidacy.  The top five projects will be awarded funding according to popular vote. If awarded, New-Harvest.org has been selected as the recipient organization.

If you would like to support the hydroponic meat initiative, here is your chance to participate.  

Access the following link and nominate “Hydroponic Meat for a Sustainable Planet”:

http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/H6PLUB