As a consultant on statistical design and analysis of experiments, I’ve been working with many leading-edge developers of cell-based meats (and fish). I am a carnivore—me loving a juicy burger, tender pulled pork, medium-rare steak or barbecued chicken. However, I’d happily switch to lab-grown protein once it passes a properly designed double-blind taste test. This will be a huge breakthrough by not killing animals and greatly reducing greenhouse gases—including “enteric fermentation” (nice way of referring to cow farts, ha ha).

Some experts do not foresee this happening in our lifetime according to this report last February by CBC. But after reading this cover story posted yesterday by Chemical & Engineering News on recent developments on lab-grown meats, I am more optimistic.

There is a fly in the food, so to speak, though: I cannot eat lab-grown meat while wintering in my Florida home—it’s been banned per this May 1 press release from Governor DeSantis. No fair!

“Today, Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals.”

– Governor Ron DeSantis

By the way, I do agree with the Governor on one thing by not being a big fan of eating bugs. On the other hand, I applaud a Stat-Ease client from Bulgaria—Nasekomo (meaning ‘‘insect’’)—for developing a high-protein chicken feed made from soldier flies. I helped one of their researchers on her experimentation after first being assured that the EU approves the use of their product only for animals, not humans. She told me that chickens who eat the fly-based food tend to be less aggressive and healthier. Sounds good to me: Cock-a-doodle-do!