An ethical discussion of in-vitro meat and the production of flesh from animals with enhanced properties. (360G-Wellcome-104137_Z_14_Z)

The creation of 'synthetic meat' and animals with enhanced properties, such as reduced sentience and nutritional benefits, may reduce a number of animal welfare and human health concerns whilst raising other issues, including questions related to the dignity of animals and the naturalness or otherwise of these developments. New concerns associated with these novel technologies are not easily understood in terms of conventional bioethical concerns that focus on welfare. The ethical and social ben efits of these new and proposed scientific developments must be addressed by those with an interest in the ethical issues associated with the consumption of animal products. This workshop will provide a unique opportunity to bring together a number of experts on these issues with the aim to develop a better understanding of the issues involved. This understanding can then form the basis of future work, resulting in the creation of detailed research projects that will be submitted to appropriate funders, and publications. This workshop is very timely. The recent creation of the worlds first in vitro burger intersects academic debate in various ethical disciplines, including conventional bioethics, animal ethics, and public health.