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DECEMBER 2021

Design Fiction: Explores the Ethics of Technology

PROBLEM:

People are unwilling to buy lab meat because they find the meat paste disgusting

in-article-labgrownmeat03.jpg

The Creation of Lab Meat:

Lab-grown meat, also called cultured meat, relies on eukaryotic cells obtained from complex multicellular organisms. Eukaryotes can be cultivated in bioreactors, where they proliferate until reaching a significant mass. Subsequently, these cells are gathered and shaped into a cohesive "paste."

A More In-Depth look at Cellular Agriculture:

Cellular agriculture revolves around the cultivation of stem cells. Veterinarians employ biopsies, a procedure involving the extraction of approximately 1 gram of biological tissue from a chosen animal using a needle, in order to obtain stem cells. Anesthesia is administered to the animals to mitigate any discomfort, and there are no lasting effects, allowing them to resume their normal lives within a few days. Subsequently, the cells are cultivated in a controlled environment, facilitating their development into muscle tissue. A bioreactor is utilized to promote cell multiplication while safeguarding the stem cells against contamination. This technology also enables the addition of nutrients, typically derived from plant-based extracts, consisting of a combination of amino acids, sugars, minerals, and vitamins. The growth process typically spans 2-3 weeks. The resulting output from the bioreactor is a mixture with meat-like characteristics, which requires further processing to modify its smell and taste, ultimately resembling ground meat. In theory, the meat produced in such a tightly regulated environment should be completely safe for consumption. However, additional research is necessary to fully validate this claim.

Quick Summary:

  1. Stem cells are extracted from cows.

  2. The cells are then put in a petri dish.

  3. They are then grown by adding nutrients 

  4. When they grow from myotubes to muscle fiber they are placed into a bio reactor.

  5. Plant based serum is then added into the bioreactor along with the muscle fibers.

  6. The end result would be a meat paste, perfect for making sausages or hamburger patties.

PROJECT SOLUTION:

  • Feed customers their own meat grown in the lab by combining human stem cells and pig tissue.

  • I argue that this refocuses the ick factor on eating your own flesh. Fight fire with fire.

  • Lab meat is more of a medium.

  • Working with an organization to promote Lab Meat. Used primarily as a shock factor and a marketing stunt to grab attention. 

Meat Man Scientist.jpg

Just a friendly reminder that this is design fiction!

TEST KITS

HOW DO THEY WORK?

  • Order Test Kits Online

  • Menu: Allows Customers to order a dish made with their meat grown in a lab.

  • Vial: Holds a sticker with micro needles to collect blood sample from participant.

  • Mail the vial back with the sticker in it to grow meat.

  • A ME-EAT Box will be sent to the participant with the order they requested.

ME-EAT BOX

HOW DO THEY WORK?

  • The vial with the blood sample is sent back to the lab so that the meat can be grown

  • Box is sent to customer once the meal is ready

  • The top of the box will be labeled with the dish the participant has ordered.

  • Everything is precooked and microwaveable. This way users won't have to cook the meat in their own kitchens.

GRAPHICS:

Test Kit Box.jpg

ART DIRECTION:

The goal was to have a childish feel by implementing a cartoon aesthetic with heavy lines and bright solid colors. The graphic design attempts to reflect the product’s inherent satire nature.​

KEYWORDS:

  • Unsetteling

  • Eyecatching

MOVING FORWARD:

  • Locating target audience.

  • Box manufacture and distribution.

  • UI/UX design of ME-EAT app and website.

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to look through my work! Another friendly reminder that this is design fiction.

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