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Making Value Out of Ethics: The Emerging Economic Geography of Lab-grown Meat and Other Animal-free Food Products

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  • Michael J. Mouat
  • Russell Prince
  • Michael M. Roche

Abstract

Animal-free animal food products, such as lab-grown meat and synthesized milk, are on the cusp of appearing in the supermarket. With the network of techno-science startups and university laboratories with venture capital, research grants, and donations flowing into them, the transition from techno-fantasy to actually existing industry could occur in the next few years. But the emerging animal-free food industry is a site of social and economic experimentation beyond what is occurring in the laboratory. A particular ethical and moral claim is at the center of this industry-in-potential, with it offering a food future free from the environmental degradation and animal cruelty of existing animal agriculture-led food chains, and it is around this claim that experiments with the construction of value are occurring. Drawing on assemblage theory, we argue that practices associated with things like veganism and beneficent techno-scientific research emerge from existing assemblages, including agrifood production networks, and get arranged and deployed in ways that are potentially economically productive in the making of this industry. This demonstrates how ethics are not just something folded back through the production process from the consumption end but are at the heart of how value is formed within it.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael J. Mouat & Russell Prince & Michael M. Roche, 2019. "Making Value Out of Ethics: The Emerging Economic Geography of Lab-grown Meat and Other Animal-free Food Products," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 95(2), pages 136-158, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:recgxx:v:95:y:2019:i:2:p:136-158
    DOI: 10.1080/00130095.2018.1508994
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    Cited by:

    1. Donato, Carmela & Monsurrò, Luigi & Di Cioccio, Martina, 2024. "A matter of identity: Promoting plant-based food among meat-eaters through a common identity priming," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Gagnon, Mark A. & Broad, Garrett & Grandison, Kelia & Chiles, Robert M., 2022. "AgriTech investor and informant perspectives about cellular agriculture," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 26(1), September.
    3. Shyamain Wickramasingha, 2023. "Geographies of dissociation: informality, ethical codes and fragmented labour regimes in the Sri Lankan apparel industry," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 23(6), pages 1191-1211.
    4. Siobhan McGrath & Fabiola Mieres, 2022. "The Business of Abolition: Marketizing ‘Anti‐slavery’," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 53(1), pages 3-30, January.
    5. Lajoie-O'Malley, Alana & Bronson, Kelly & van der Burg, Simone & Klerkx, Laurens, 2020. "The future(s) of digital agriculture and sustainable food systems: An analysis of high-level policy documents," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).

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