Singapore launches test-tube-grown chicken that's even vegan friendly

In December, Singapore allowed the sale of artificially produced meat. The development of such products has been going on for many years, but the Asian country was the first in the world where test-tube meat became commercially available.

For now, it's only available at a private club that offers fake chicken nuggets for $23. About 200 people have already taken advantage of this opportunity.

Chicken nuggets are supplied by Eat Just Inc. is a company from San Francisco that built its factory in Singapore and received permission from the state to produce artificial meat.

The meat production process is still associated with the killing of animals. For growing artificial chicken, a nutrient solution is used, which includes bovine serum. The manufacturers claim that they have created a solution without an animal component, but for its use in food production, permission from the Singapore government is required.

At least 10 other companies are also developing test-tube meats ranging from marbled beef (wagyu) to salmon and kangaroo meat. Some of them have even received financial support in the form of investments from big meat companies like Tyson Foods and Cargill.

Research companies say there are many benefits to artificial meat.

One of them is that such meat can be obtained in a limited space and in enclosed spaces.

What's more, as with Singaporean chicken, the meat is grown in vitro without the use of antibiotics.

In addition, artificial meat does not require mass rearing and slaughter of animals.

But even among animal advocates there are critics of the new product. Some of them fear that if artificial meat is available, people will become even more convinced that meat is vital for them.