TOP NEWS THIS WEEK
Lab-Grown Meat Approved for UK Pet Food: The UK has become the first European country to approve lab-grown meat for pet food. Meatly, a lab meat company, plans to sell cultivated chicken to pet food manufacturers as early as this year. This development could reduce the number of animals killed to feed domestic animals. There are also plant-based foods that meet all the nutritional requirements of these animals, so people who don’t want to support animal farming will have a choice about what to feed the animals who live with them.
A 2022 study found that 81.4% of respondents were willing to feed cultivated meat to their companion animals. This suggests a growing acceptance of alternative protein sources. Read the BBC article.
Danish Insect Farm Targets Food for Exploited Animals: While some companies explore alternative proteins from plant meats, cultivated meat, or precision fermentation, others persist in finding new ways to exploit nonhuman animals. A new insect farm in Denmark aims to produce over 10,000 tons of insect “meal” and oil annually to feed the mammals and birds who humans exploit for food. While this may be seen as a more sustainable alternative to soy-based feed, it not only perpetuates but expands the exploitation of animals – both insects and farmed animals. Instead of finding new ways to feed animals raised for food, let’s focus on transitioning away from animal agriculture altogether. Read more.
Study Confirms Benefits of Replacing Saturated Fats: A study conducted by the German Institute of Human Nutrition has shown that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet leads to beneficial changes in the lipidome (the mix of fatty acids found in cells and tissues), associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers developed a multi-lipid score (MLS) based on 45 lipid metabolites that change when replacing dietary saturated fats with unsaturated fats. In one of the studies they reviewed, a higher MLS was associated with a 32% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 26% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. This study provides strong evidence for the beneficial effects of replacing dietary saturated fats with unsaturated fats on cardiometabolic health. It also suggests potential new ways to use lipidomics (the study of the lipidome as a marker of health) data in personalized nutrition strategies. Read more about the study, which was done in partnership with several European universities.
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Nature Editorial Calls for Alternatives to Animal Research: A recent editorial in the journal Nature highlights the importance of exploring alternatives to animal research. The author does not have an antispeciesist perspective – the ethical issues they see are mainly the emotional toll on researchers and some issues involving other primates. However, this perspective marks a significant shift in scientific thinking, acknowledging that animal studies are not always the most effective or ethical approach.
The editorial points out that technological advances have opened up new possibilities. These include the use of stem cells and small tissue samples from human biopsies. They also discuss organoids, which are 3D cultures that are like simplified versions of organs that mimic their functions. These methods can provide more relevant data for human applications than using animals. For example, humans have different immune responses than mice.
A 2022 U.S. law allowing researchers to test drug candidates on human tissue or computer models before moving to human trials, challenging the long-standing regulatory requirement for animal testing. However, many researchers remain unaware of this change, indicating a need for better communication about alternatives to animal research. Read the editorial in Nature.
QUICK BITES
Creamy Tahini Pesto: This oil-free, nut-free pesto uses tahini for a creamy texture. It’s a versatile sauce perfect for pasta dishes, grain bowls, and sandwiches. Get the recipe on The Full Helping.
Emergency Strawberry Cheesecake Bowl: This quick and easy vegan dessert combines dairy-free yogurt, fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, and crumbled cookies for a quick treat. A Virtual Vegan has the recipe.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2015, New Zealand took a step forward in animal rights law by legally recognizing animals as sentient beings in its Animal Welfare Amendment Bill. This legislation, which builds upon the existing Animal Welfare Act of 1999, acknowledges that animals can experience a range of emotions and sensations, including pain and distress. The amendment not only formally recognizes animal sentience but also strengthens penalties for animal cruelty and neglect, and bans cosmetic testing on animals.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
The Nature editorial on animal research alternatives raises important questions about the ethics of animal experimentation. How can we encourage more researchers to explore and develop non-animal methods? What barriers do you think exist in shifting away from animal research, and how can these be overcome? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Stay informed and keep advocating for a more vegan world. See you next week with more updates!
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