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Silicon Valley needs to understand the food domain and it's environmental impact better before investing in these processed food startups. We already have the m

by shanev 12y ago

Silicon Valley needs to understand the food domain and it's environmental impact better before investing in these processed food startups. We already have the most efficient machine that converts plant matter into meat. It's called a cow. Cows and other ruminants have evolved over millions, if not billions of years, to make this process super efficient using just solar energy (photosynthesis) and water. Who are we to think we can do better in a few years in the lab? Have these companies thought about the environmental impact of growing more row crops to create this fake meat and eggs? Row crops destroy ecosystems and reduce topsoil. It's also a system that sounds like it would need lots of logistics and energy to operate. Also it's not sustainable. Silicon Valley should instead fund organizations looking to work with nature to create the future of food. Companies like Summer Technologies [1] are doing the right thing by acknowledging nature and creating technology that empowers sustainable agriculture that scales. With the right tools, these kind of farms can be more productive than massive industrial farms [2], feed the growing population of the world [3], while improving the quality of land and reducing CO2. It's a win-win-win if I've ever seen one. This article also fails to mention anything about how the dangers of meat are greatly over exaggerated and not corroborated by modern science. [4] And what's wrong with eggs? They're one of the most nutritious foods out there with healthy omega-3 fats and a variety of minerals that are sorely lacking in modern processed food diets. [1] http://www.summertechnologies.com http://www.summertechnologies.com [2] Soil Carbon Cowboys: http://www.carbonnationmovie.com/about/clips/225-new-video-soil-carbon-cowboys http://www.carbonnationmovie.com/about/clips/225-new-video-s... [3] http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world... [4] http://chriskresser.com/red-meat-it-does-a-body-good http://chriskresser.com/red-meat-it-does-a-body-good

ethanbond 12y ago
I don't see any evidence that we have "the most efficient machine" and that it's a cow. Evolution is incredibly slow, and humans outpacing it (using their brains) is exactly why we're at the top of the food chain. Who are we to think we can't do better in the lab, when almost every worthwhile human invention has been precisely that – beating evolution at its own game? I do agree with your initial premise though, we should be very careful and spend a lot of time considering the environmental impact. It's also very easy to say that as a well-off westerner with abundant access to food, though ;)
deegles 12y ago
The most efficient protein-producing machine is certainly not a cow. Chickens and especially insects are way more efficient. Some species of insects are over 90% efficient in turning raw food into protein, with way less water used to boot.

by shanev 12y ago

ethanbond 12y ago

I don't see any evidence that we have "the most efficient machine" and that it's a cow. Evolution is incredibly slow, and humans outpacing it (using their brains) is exactly why we're at the top of the food chain. Who are we to think we can't do better in the lab, when almost every worthwhile human invention has been precisely that – beating evolution at its own game? I do agree with your initial premise though, we should be very careful and spend a lot of time considering the environmental impact. It's also very easy to say that as a well-off westerner with abundant access to food, though ;)

deegles 12y ago

The most efficient protein-producing machine is certainly not a cow. Chickens and especially insects are way more efficient. Some species of insects are over 90% efficient in turning raw food into protein, with way less water used to boot.