The meat on the plate is reduced to a clash that is now a soup of various positions: science and ideology, respect for the environment and fashionable environmentalism. And while the government rejoices at the definitive green light in the Chamber of the bill banning the production and sale of "synthetic meat"; the opposition, part of the scientific community, animal rights activists and vegetarians protest. One against the other, while consumers - that is, those who ultimately say the last word on the palatability of food - unless they have a degree in food technology struggle to find an agreement.
«I go to the market and chat with people. When I ask "Would you eat a steak made in a laboratory?", do you know what they answer? Giuseppe Pulina, professor of ethics and sustainability of livestock farming at the University of Sassari, is the president of the Sustainable Meats association (made up of Assocarni, Assica and Unaitalia). Among the most cited scientists in the world in the field of animal sciences, he is the expert called by the Senate - when in recent months it was preparing to examine the text of the law - to draw up a report on the point of scientific knowledge in the field of food safety and environmental impact of laboratory-produced meat. "There are many reasons why a steak like this can never be comparable to a natural steak."
Professor, you are biased. It represents an association made up of the three largest producer associations.
«I am first of all a university professor and I am a scientist. I'm the one who speaks to Sustainable Meats, and I say what science says, not what Sustainable Meats wants to hear."
Are you happy with the green light for the law?
«Yes, as a consumer and as a scientist, because we put a stop to artificial meat».
Those who defend its production say that there is nothing synthetic about it and that it should be called cultured meat.
«It's true, there is nothing synthetic because the process arises from cells removed from animals. But there's nothing cultivated either. The only cultivated meat is that which comes from animal husbandry. I would call it artificial meat because the cells are artificially bred."
