Renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall is a firm supporter behind the cultured meat industry, and she just agreed to narrate a documentary on the topic, which will be called Meat the Future.
Cultured meat is animal meat that is produced by cultivating animal cells. This technology allows producing real meat without harming animals.
Meat the Future is an 88-minute documentary following the journey of cultured meat start-up Upside Foods.
Back in 2016, Upside Foods introduced the world's first cultured meat meatball. The price was humongous for about USD 18,000 per pound. The following year, the start-up produced the first-ever cultured chicken fillet and duck for half the cost.
The film follows the work of cardiologist Dr. Uma Valeti, co-founder and CEO of Upside Foods, and his team over five years. At the same time explores the intricacies of the industry like consumer perception and regulatory barriers.
The film presents cultured meat as a solution to environmental damage caused by animal meat production.
Experts have repeatedly identified animal agriculture as a leading driver of deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Goodall, now 87, is a well-known primatologist for more than six decades. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, global wildlife, and conservation organization. She has been a UN Messenger of Peace since 2002.
“This is the story of planetary hope – inspired by one of the biggest ideas of the century,” Goodall says in the film.
Meat the Future will premiere at the 2020 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.
The film will include new information about cultured meat as well as Goodall's narration and music from vegan artist Moby.
“I'm excited about the documentary because it is solution-focused,”
“The film proposes a way forward, to reduce methane, to reduce water and land use, to lessen the suffering of animals, and to prevent future viral outbreaks. I hope it sparks your imagination and inspires change.”
Goodall
