Smoph recently posted a Facebook article about schmeat – laboratory grown meat from cells harvested from animals.
The article mentions that PETA ( always one of my favourite activist groups) quite like the idea, because no animals are slaughtered to make it. Other environmentalist groups also like the idea, because there is far less farming or animal feed required.
I’ve been pondering on this – particularly the “ethical” side of “ethical meat”. For me, it raises a lot more fundamental issues than what sits in a plate.
For example, if you’re an atheist (and/or don’t believe in the concept of a soul), then you’d know that when you get a bunch of cells growing to a certain point, it becomes a consciousness.
If you do believe in a soul, then at some point in the process of conception or development, a bundle of earthly cells gets imbued with something more existential.
In the abortion debate, some believe that life begins at conception – whether before or after a brain stem forms. From that perspective, a bundle of cells is “life”. Therefore schmeat is also life, and an animal is still being slaughtered.
If schmeat were left to mature longer than enough to form a kebab, would some sort of awareness or neural system form? What then?
If we take the stance that, because its a lab created thing then it isn’t really alive, does this mean IVF babies aren’t either?
I have no answers. I don’t even know if anyone will read this.
But if you do, ponder it with me and let me know your thoughts…
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Recent Comments
Smoph on A Schmeating of Minds
I have often said that if I had to be involved in the process, I would probably become a vegetarian....Guylian on A Schmeating of Minds
Oh hell, that would be creepy...Aussie Locust on A Schmeating of Minds
I look forward to the day when we can grow a cow or a chicken or a fish in the...Cazzy on A Schmeating of Minds
I believe in a soul or a spirit. We are and we don't end, just hope I don't come...Smoph on A Schmeating of Minds
I disagree. A group of cells is not a consciousness. They are life, most certainly. Conscious, no. A collection of...Guylian on A Schmeating of Minds
I look forward to the day when we can grow a cow or a chicken or a fish in the...Scoobs on A Schmeating of Minds
It's an interesting idea that conjures up images of halls of bacon, essentially growing on vines. I kinda like the idea...AlexKJ on A Schmeating of Minds
I don't know about souls or conciousness, but definitely if cells are dividing, there is life, so how is it...AlexKJ on Wordsmith Wednesday
Not my invention but one of my faves: Ignoranus : A person who’s both stupid and an asshole Others that I think...D@m0 on Topics on Tuesday – Strong Men Walk Away?
Fair point, however If she had never heard it That's not ignorance