Team:NYC Wetware/Food Practices

From 2011.igem.org

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While scientific advances constantly generate new innovations, it is a major challenge for those who root themselves in time-honored moral traditions to think about how these new discoveries should be approached.
While scientific advances constantly generate new innovations, it is a major challenge for those who root themselves in time-honored moral traditions to think about how these new discoveries should be approached.
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Vegans, vegetarians, and eaters of kosher and halal all scrutinize the origins of their food before consuming it. If offered snacks don't conform to the guidelines they live by, they won't eat. The preparation of meat for these groups is particularly tricky, as it either involves careful ritual slaughter, in the cases of kosher and halal, or a prohibition against meat altogether, in the cases of veganism and vegetarianism.
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Vegans, vegetarians, and eaters of kosher all scrutinize the origins of their food before consuming it. If offered snacks don't conform to the guidelines they live by, they won't eat. The preparation of meat for these groups is particularly tricky, as it either involves careful ritual slaughter, in the case of kosher, or a prohibition against meat altogether, in the cases of veganism and vegetarianism.
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One recent US patent describes six methods for producing meat in a laboratory. The possibility of growing meat in petri dishes has already garnered the attention of groups concerned with the ethical treatment of animals; it would mean that meat could be produced with virtually no opportunity for cruelty or mistreatment of animals. But one salient question has not yet been approached: Is such a product truly meat?  
One recent US patent describes six methods for producing meat in a laboratory. The possibility of growing meat in petri dishes has already garnered the attention of groups concerned with the ethical treatment of animals; it would mean that meat could be produced with virtually no opportunity for cruelty or mistreatment of animals. But one salient question has not yet been approached: Is such a product truly meat?  
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Past research within the academic Jewish community has dealt with a wide array of issues in biotechnology, but the area of in vitro meat growth is budding in every respect. Two leaders in the field, Rabbi Moshe Tendler, PhD and Rabbi J. David Bleich, PhD have both written many articles in the field, but are still researching the particular legal aspects of the in vitro meat question. For exploring the morality underlying the rules of kashrut I owe a great debt to the works of Michael Wyschogrod, BSS, PhD, Leon Kass, MD, PhD, and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, PhD. The articles and personal input of these authorities were invaluable in composing this review.
Past research within the academic Jewish community has dealt with a wide array of issues in biotechnology, but the area of in vitro meat growth is budding in every respect. Two leaders in the field, Rabbi Moshe Tendler, PhD and Rabbi J. David Bleich, PhD have both written many articles in the field, but are still researching the particular legal aspects of the in vitro meat question. For exploring the morality underlying the rules of kashrut I owe a great debt to the works of Michael Wyschogrod, BSS, PhD, Leon Kass, MD, PhD, and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, PhD. The articles and personal input of these authorities were invaluable in composing this review.
<h3>Main Points for Further Discussion</h3>
<h3>Main Points for Further Discussion</h3>
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• Is such a product kosher? If it Halal? Is it acceptable for a vegan or vegetarian?<br/>  
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• Is such a product kosher? Is it acceptable for a vegan or vegetarian?<br/>  
• Would such a product considered meat in terms of kashrut? Could it be eaten with milk? <br/>
• Would such a product considered meat in terms of kashrut? Could it be eaten with milk? <br/>
• If stem cells could be induced to differentiate as pig cells, could we produce kosher pork, or other non-kosher animals?<br/>  
• If stem cells could be induced to differentiate as pig cells, could we produce kosher pork, or other non-kosher animals?<br/>  

Revision as of 03:57, 12 October 2011