The Future of Meat?

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: What responsibilities do humans have to animals and the rest of the natural world?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence: 

• What is Chase Purdy referring to when he says “This is huge?” Why is it huge? (He is referring to Singapore recently granting approval to a company in California to begin selling its lab-grown meat products to customers. Singapore’s approval moves the science of lab-grown meat from the laboratory to the plates of real people, which might change habits and customer expectations. In addition, Singapore’s approval may lead other countries, including the U.S., to approve the sale of lab-grown meat.)

• Based on the article, what challenges might companies that produce lab-grown meat face in convincing Americans to eat their products? (Possible responses: One challenge might be convincing people that it’s OK and not icky to eat meat grown in a lab. Another challenge might be convincing people that lab-grown meat is safe to eat, as we don’t yet know the long-term effects of consuming it.)

• Consider the arguments for or against lab-grown meat presented in the article. Which do you think is the strongest? Why? (Responses will vary, but students should support their opinions with evidence from the text.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Lab-Made Meat: Pros & Cons. Have students use it to compare and contrast and then evaluate the arguments made in the article by advocates and critics of lab-grown meat. 

4. Writing Prompt
Write the script for a 30-second TV commercial promoting either lab-grown meat or natural meat. Use facts and details from the article in your script.

5. Classroom Debate
Will lab-grown meat ever surpass real meat as a source of protein in the U.S.?

6. Quiz
Assess comprehension with the quiz.