# Why do so many people get grossed out by the idea of vat-grown meat? A poll. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2006, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416 "2006-10-22T05:06:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/81 "2006-10-25T09:24:56Z")
Or a tissue-differentiated turducken (I still wouldn’t eat it with ‘turd’ in the name). ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/82 "2006-10-25T13:30:18Z")
If we eliminate using cows for food, then we eliminate our source of leather. And I think leather is a very useful product, and much easier on the environment than the petroleum based substitues. So if I get a vote, I vote for keeping and utilizing cows. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/83 "2006-10-25T13:43:16Z")
So let’s grow leather in vats too! ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/84 "2006-10-25T13:55:29Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] So let’s grow leather in vats too! [/QUOTE] Actually, this is something we probably COULD do starting today if we wanted. It’s just cheaper not to at this stage but skin was one of the very first tissues to be cultured and the process is pretty simple now. Cultured skin tissue is used for grafts of course but there is no reason you couldn’t grow really LARGE sheets of bovine skin.. all of a uniform thickness and in sizes not found in nature. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/85 "2006-10-25T13:57:42Z")
I expect it wouldn’t be all that difficult to grow it in ready-made forms. Fancy a leather jacket that is all one, seamless piece? ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/86 "2006-10-25T16:36:37Z")
Well, I’d eat vat-grown meat. The idea is off-putting at first, but a little mental adjustment will soon set you right. And I suspect that like it or not, vat-grown meat will be with us within ten years. At a minimum, it could be used as pet food. It’s not like your dog is going to complain. And I will say that one does begin to wonder what _else_ can be grown in a vat. The House of Representatives, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/87 "2006-10-25T17:11:33Z")
[QUOTE=Sal Ammoniac] And I will say that one does begin to wonder what _else_ can be grown in a vat. The House of Representatives, maybe? [/QUOTE] I’m waiting for them to invent vat-grown soup. Do you have any idea how hard it is to care for canned-soup vines in Arizona?! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/88 "2006-10-25T17:30:48Z")
I haven’t been able to respond now because just the title of this thread makes me gag. Of course, I am mostly vegetarian, which I assume contrubutes to the gross out factor… Eww. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/89 "2006-10-25T18:14:31Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] So let’s grow leather in vats too! [/QUOTE] What about fur? Can we grow fur coats in vats? I wouldn’t mind a baby Harp seal coat if no baby Harp seals were harmed in the process. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/90 "2006-10-25T19:05:38Z")
Oh man, I’d kill for some baby Harp seal right now. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/91 "2006-10-25T23:32:38Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] Oh man, I’d kill for some baby Harp seal right now. [/QUOTE] So, a baby seal walks into a club… _rimshot_ _crickets chirping_ Try the veal. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/92 "2006-10-26T00:28:26Z")
I’m a longtime vegetarian, but am also open-minded and pragmatic as to other’s dietary choices. Vat-grown meat doesn’t squick me out, but I am concerned with what it takes to grow it, and if that’s healthy. Does it take a lot of chemicals and hormones to grow it, and are those substances tested for long term human health? If it proves to be safe and true, I’d say yes to it. For folks who eat meat, and for feeding all on the planet, it would prove to be a boon in supplying food, without causing suffering to sentient creatures, and less stress on the environment. As to eating it myself; I’m doing just fine on my own diet, and wouldn’t need it, especially if it had a premium cost. ---
**Author:** ![AndLuna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@AndLuna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndLuna)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/93 "2006-10-26T14:24:42Z")
I can see the squick - it’s not really a well-thought-out response or anything with me, justa visceral “yuck” at the idea of Giant Pulsating Vats Of Flesh. I probably would give it a try though - I don’t eat meat at the moment partly for ‘aww, poor baby cows’ fluffy reasons and mostly for ‘not really liking the taste’ reasons, so I doubt I’d be hugely enthusiastic, but I’d be curious enough to try some. I’d definitely wear vat-grown leather. That would be pretty cool, actually. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/94 "2006-10-26T15:12:35Z")
Will vat-grown-meat (VGM) have veins? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/95 "2006-10-26T15:20:50Z")
[QUOTE=The Chao Goes Mu] Will vat-grown-meat (VGM) have veins? [/QUOTE] At the moment, it seems not (you’d have to connect them to an artificial circulatory system anyway). The recent article I read on the subject (which I can no longer find) was talking about culturing flat sheets of tissue, then stacking them together, or processing them into some other product such as meatballs or sausages. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/96 "2006-11-03T22:46:44Z")
Given the [ongoing collapse of fish populations,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=394739) could vat-grown cod be the killer app for this technology? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/97 "2006-11-04T00:28:44Z")
[QUOTE=Neidhart] Given the [ongoing collapse of fish populations,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=394739) could vat-grown cod be the killer app for this technology? [/QUOTE] Heh… this reminds me, I was reading an article a few months ago about this fish that had been brought from Asia, and was being a pain in the neck for the fishing industry because there were so many of them swimming around, you couldn’t cast a net without cathing a massive number of these virtualy worthless fish. Then someone did the math, and realized that, with as much of these things as they were catching, they were able to make MORE money selling them than the fish that were worth more to begin with, even with the samller per-fish profit margin. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2006, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/98 "2006-11-04T00:43:38Z")
Well, as someone who eats tripe and scrapple with no qualms, I’d eat it if it were available. I wouldn’t pass on a 16 oz. T-bone for a Velmeeta-on-a-Stick but I’d eat it. My question would be, once we are making meat in factories why couldn’t a human-based meat product be that far behind ala a Soylent Green? Would pseudo-cannabalism still be frowned upon even if the meat weren’t from a once-living person? Sure, it’s a bit of a leap to go from eating Tub-o-Beef to Tub-o-Bill but it would then be within the realm of possibility. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/99 "2006-11-04T00:55:32Z")
[QUOTE=Madd Maxx] Well, as someone who eats tripe and scrapple with no qualms, I’d eat it if it were available. I wouldn’t pass on a 16 oz. T-bone for a Velmeeta-on-a-Stick but I’d eat it. My question would be, once we are making meat in factories why couldn’t a human-based meat product be that far behind ala a Soylent Green? Would pseudo-cannabalism still be frowned upon even if the meat weren’t from a once-living person? Sure, it’s a bit of a leap to go from eating Tub-o-Beef to Tub-o-Bill but it would then be within the realm of possibility. [/QUOTE] But why eat human flesh when animal flesh can be grown just as easily? From a technological standpoint no, human flesh shouldn’t be more difficult. But who would grow it for consumption? What would be the motivation? **Neidhart** , I’d dearly love to see us able to cut-back on fishing, but could we do it in time? Topic for a different thread, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2006, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416/100 "2006-11-04T01:08:23Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] But why eat human flesh when animal flesh can be grown just as easily? From a technological standpoint no, human flesh shouldn’t be more difficult. But who would grow it for consumption? What would be the motivation? \ [/QUOTE] Why _not_ grow it? Like you said it wouldn’t be any more difficult. I’m not suggesting we should, just why shouldn’t we. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-get-grossed-out-by-the-idea-of-vat-grown-meat-a-poll/377416.md?page=6)