Google Cofounder Investing in Meat?

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Yes, it’s true. Google GOOG cofounder Segey Brin is investing in meat but it’s not cows, farms, and the country fair. It’s far more scientific than that. Brin is investing $332,000 into synthetic meat.

It’s easy to poke fun at such an endeavor but when you read about it, it’s no laughing matter. Despite being told to eat more fruits and vegetables and include meat in moderation, the world isn’t showing signs of reducing its meat intake. In fact, within 40 years, the rising demand for beef is forecast to outstrip production.

According to Brin, speaking in this video, "There are basically three things that can happen going forward. One is we'll all become vegetarian. I don't think that's really likely. The second is we ignore the issues and that leads to continued environmental harm. And the third option is we do something new."

How about a few more facts that you probably didn’t know:

  • 70 percent of antibiotics are used on farm animals.
  • If you eat primarily meat, you’re 20 percent more likely to have a chronic disease.
  • 15 percent of all greenhouse gasses are from the production of meat.
  • 1,500 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat.

According to Dr. Mark Post lead researcher at Maastricht University, it’s relatively easy to produce synthetic meat. Take a few stem cells from a cow, do a few simple science-type things to them, and watch them grow. According to him, it only takes a few stem cells to produce 10 tons of meat.

Related: Google Engages in A Delicate Balance Act with Motorola

And it’s not likely to throw up the normal red flags that ideas like this tend to attract. Since it involves killing less animals, animal rights groups will applaud the idea; since it involves less animals, antibiotics, greenhouse gasses, and land, environmental groups will likely embrace it, and the meat will be no more expensive and perhaps significantly cheaper than today’s meat, to the delight of consumers.

The growing push towards natural products may cause concern that synthetic meat could raise health problems down the road and the nation’s farmers, and the trade groups that represent them, may not like the idea but it’s hard to argue that Brin found a promising investment opportunity.

But how does it taste? One of the first cultured patties was prepared and served to Post, food writer Josh Schonwald and nutritional researcher Hanni Rützler.

Apparently, it lacked flavor but since it was completely fat-free, that was to be expected. According to the review, the texture was identical to naturally occurring beef. Clearly, some work remains to be done to give it that all-American taste. Until then, maybe they’ll call it ground turkey. (Just kidding, turkey burger lovers.)

Disclosure: At the time of this writing, Tim Parker had no position in the company mentioned.

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Posted In: EntrepreneurshipGeneralCowsGoogleMark Postsergey brin
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