Questions

  1. Michael Specter writes, “For many people, the idea of divorcing beef from a cow or pork from a pig will seem even more unsettling than the controversial yet utterly routine practice of modifying crops with the tools of molecular biology” (para. 2). Why do you think that would be the case? Do you think this is a valid comparison? Explain your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - 8. from Test-Tube Burgers - Questions: Michael Specter writes, “For many people, the idea of divorcing beef from a cow or pork from a pig will seem even more unsettling than the controversial yet utterly routine practice of modifying crops with the tools of molecular biology” (para. 2). Why do you think that would be the case? Do you think this is a valid comparison? Explain your response.
  2. In paragraph 2, Specter asks, “Can something be called chicken or pork if it was born in a flask and produced in a vat?” What is your answer to that question?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - 8. from Test-Tube Burgers - Questions: In paragraph 2, Specter asks, “Can something be called chicken or pork if it was born in a flask and produced in a vat?” What is your answer to that question?
  3. Specter reports that ground meat accounts for half the meat sold in the United States (para. 8). How does this surprising fact influence your perspective regarding sustainable eating?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - 8. from Test-Tube Burgers - Questions: Specter reports that ground meat accounts for half the meat sold in the United States (para. 8). How does this surprising fact influence your perspective regarding sustainable eating?
  4. In paragraph 7, Specter quotes scientist Mark Post: “‘The initial position often seems to be a reflex: nobody will ever eat this meat. But in the end I don’t think that will be true. If people visited a slaughterhouse, then visited a lab, they would realize this approach is so much healthier.’” Do you find Post’s argument convincing? Is there another argument that you think people would find more convincing, or do you think people would never accept lab-grown meat? Explain.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - 8. from Test-Tube Burgers - Questions: In paragraph 7, Specter quotes scientist Mark Post: “‘The initial position often seems to be a reflex: nobody will ever eat this meat. But in the end I don’t think that will be true. If people visited a slaughterhouse, then visited a lab, they would realize this approach is so much healthier.’” Do you find Post’s argument convincing? Is there another argument that you think people would find more convincing, or do you think people would never accept lab-grown meat? Explain.
  5. How persuasive is the case that Specter makes in paragraph 12 for lab-grown meat as a partial solution to the sustainable eating issue?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - 8. from Test-Tube Burgers - Questions: How persuasive is the case that Specter makes in paragraph 12 for lab-grown meat as a partial solution to the sustainable eating issue?
  6. Specter interviewed Princeton philosopher Peter Singer, author of “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” (p. 369), who is considered by many to be the father of the animal rights movement. Speaking of in-vitro meat, Singer said, “It seems all pluses and no minuses to me.” What are some pluses in your view? And minuses? Do you think that one outweighs the other? Explain.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - 8. from Test-Tube Burgers - Questions: Specter interviewed Princeton philosopher Peter Singer, author of “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” (p. 369), who is considered by many to be the father of the animal rights movement. Speaking of in-vitro meat, Singer said, “It seems all pluses and no minuses to me.” What are some pluses in your view? And minuses? Do you think that one outweighs the other? Explain.