Lab-grown food: Let’s talk about it
In December 2020, Singapore spearheaded global policy as the first nation to grant approval for the distribution of cell-based meat products in consumer markets. In 2023, the United States followed, granting national approval of cellular-based meat, with some hesitant states banning its distribution locally. As a contemporary, and sometimes controversial, innovation in food science, many are curious to learn more and talk about cellular-based agriculture. Passionate about his topic, Civic Biology Fellow at Tufts University, Abby Preston, decided it was time to bring this discussion to Tufts University.
On April 19, 2025, students at Tufts had the opportunity to share their personal thoughts and feelings regarding lab-grown food. Preston, along with members of Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture (TUCCA) curated an interactive event, Cultivating the Culture of Food, attracting an interdisciplinary cohort of students majoring in various subjects to learn about, discuss, and taste lab grown food.
As part of Preston’s internship project as a Civic Biology Fellow, she describes the event through the eyes of an event organizer and facilitator. The event highlight was the group dialogue, which was guided by a questionnaire prepared by Preston and the team. Preston describes the deliberate process of writing the questionnaire, which required multiple rounds of brainstorming and question refinement. Preston describes how her fellowship coursework specifically prepared her to critically and deliberately design questions that invite all points of view, and do not present an original bias, or “right answer.” Preston describes,
“Sometimes, science can reinforce a power imbalance when there is a presentation followed by a discussion. Creating questions that people feel both excited and comfortable to participate in regardless of personal stance was very important. People can come in and share their opinion even if they don’t have a background in biology. In all issues, everyone should contribute. It was important to make it feel like everyone had a seat at the table.”
Some questions asked participants to discuss their feelings towards lab grown food in their personal life, such as, “How important is sustainability in your food choices? Would you prioritize eating cultivated meat since it’s more sustainable, even if it were slightly more expensive than conventional meat?” Other prompts asked to consider the role of lab grown food in the context of the greater society, such as, “What do you think would need to happen for cultivated meat to become a normal part of the global diet in the next 10-20 years.” Preston describes how many students came into the conversation without a fixed opinion regarding lab grown food. Conversation helped inform the student’s evolving perspective, but more importantly, it fostered the excitement to bring this discussion outside academia.
Preston describes the importance of discussing cellular agriculture right now, as the ethics, policies, and industry are still at formative stages – people have not yet made up their mind. Preston states, “If we have these conversations earlier, we can discuss ongoing research and policy. If we have them later, it gets more difficult to differentiate between fact and misinformation.” Bringing together community members holding diverse perspectives ensures that policies and technologies are crafted to serve all individuals. Dialogue is an important first step to ensure scientific research and innovation are understood, and openly invited into communities without inflicting harm or leaving marginalized voices unheard.
~
Abby is a junior at Tufts University studying biology and French, with a strong passion for translational research in the life sciences. She is particularly interested in bridging basic scientific discovery with clinical applications that directly improve patient outcomes. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to pursue dentistry, specifically periodontics, where she hopes to prioritize research-driven, evidence-based care in her clinical practice. Through research, clinical exposure, and interdisciplinary training, she aims to contribute to advancing both periodontal treatment and oral health research.
Abby was interviewed by Ayesha Lobo, the Associate Director of Communication and Outreach at CSC.
