MadSci Network: Cell Biology |
The answer to the question is yes, it is possible to grow sheets of various types of cells in culture, including muscle cells. There is a great deal of interest in doing exactly this for organ and tissue replacement (search for "tissue engineering".) One interesting description of an apparatus for providing an appropriate growth environment can be seen here: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobden/cell_culture_instrumentation.html However, it sounds as though you are asking whether we can grow cow cells and turn them into food. This is probably just not practical, cows are infinitely better at growing cow tissue than scientists are, all they need is grass (or other appropriate feed) and water. The scale of what can be grown in cell culture is not nearly large enough. If you have concerns about eating animal protein, there are alternative food sources. You also might want to investigate meat products derived from animals that have been treated according to defined humane guidelines: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/nov00/s111500d.asp The humane society also has an informative site: http://www.hsus.org/ace/352 This is a great topic to investigate, good luck.
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