The Murky Campaign to Discredit Lab-Grown Meat | WIRED UK
A new ad campaign is targeting the cultivated meat industry on TV and online. Industry supporters criticize it as unscientific.
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Controversial Group Launches Misleading Campaign Against Cultivated Meat
- The Center for the Environment and Welfare (CEW), led by executive director Jack Hubbard, has launched a public information campaign against cultivated meat.
- The campaign draws on a PR playbook used to discredit the plant-based meat industry and has been criticized for being deceptive and unscientific.
- CEW is closely linked to the public relations firm Berman and Company, known for supporting nonprofits defending the food and drink industry.
- Supporters of cultivated meat claim that CEW's campaign spreads misinformation and stokes fear about a safe and sustainable food choice.
- CEW's TV adverts and website compare cultivated meat cells to tumor cells, despite scientific evidence that consuming even cancerous animal cells does not cause cancer in humans.
- Regulators in the US, Singapore, and Australia have concluded that cultivated meat made from immortalized cells is safe for human consumption.
- CEW's campaign taps into fears people may have about novel foods and takes advantage of consumers' unfamiliarity with cultivated meat.
- The campaign by CEW is reminiscent of a similar campaign by the Center for Consumer Freedom targeting the plant-based meat industry.
- CEW also criticizes the environmental impact of cultivated meat, citing a study that found high carbon emissions, although other studies have found lower emissions compared to conventional beef.
Criticisms and Support for Cultivated Meat Industry
- CEW website accused of bias against cultivated meat, presenting information that raises unnecessary concern.
- CEW defends itself, stating that it presents existing research and expert opinions for consumers to make their own decisions.
- Future of cultivated meat industry uncertain, with most work being carried out by privately funded startups.
- Some government support for cultivated meat, including grants from US Department of Agriculture and other countries.
- Opposition to cultivated meat seen in Italy, with a law passed to prohibit certain aspects of its production and sale.
- Lawmakers in Arizona, Florida, and Texas have proposed legislation to restrict labeling and sales of cultivated meat.
- Advocates for cultivated meat hope for consumer choice and innovation, and believe it can be delicious and affordable.
Center for the Environment and Welfare Launches Campaign Against Cultivated Meat
- Led by executive director Jack Hubbard, the Center for the Environment and Welfare (CEW) has initiated a public information campaign against cultivated meat.
- CEW's campaign has been criticized for being deceptive and unscientific, drawing on a PR playbook used to discredit the plant-based meat industry.
- CEW is closely associated with the public relations firm Berman and Company, known for supporting nonprofits defending the food and drink industry.
- Supporters of cultivated meat argue that CEW's campaign spreads misinformation and fear about a safe and sustainable food choice.
- CEW's TV adverts and website compare cultivated meat cells to tumor cells, despite scientific evidence that consuming cancerous animal cells does not cause cancer in humans.