Article by Shmuel I. Becher
Technological, social, and scientific advances are transforming the nature of everything we eat. This Article focuses on the most pressing topic within this changing landscape: the consumption of meat. The Article first elucidates that animal meat consumption is (1) environmentally costly, (2) unhealthy, (3) cruel to animals, and (4) may result in long-term food shortages. It then argues that plant-based meat alternatives have the rare potential to address all of these challenges.
Despite their exceptional potential, the legal literature on the newest generation of plant- based meat alternatives is sparse. Responding to this gap, this Article provides a holistic and contemporary law and policy approach to these novel versions of non-animal meats. Integrating insights and lessons from various legal fields and non-legal domains, it examines key issues that policymakers should consider when crafting the legal framework that will govern tomorrow's meats.
About the Author
Shmuel I. Becher, Professor of Law and Associate Dean (Research), Victoria University of Wellington; Lee Kong Chian Visiting Professor of Law, Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University. I thank Jonathan Barrett, Michelle Becher, Danny Friedman, Justin Malbon, Alessandro Monaco, Grace Nickle, Tilman Reinhardt, Anne van Aaken, Eva van der Zee, Josephine van Zeben, and participants at the Sustainable Development and the Law: Potential and Challenges of Using Behavioral Insights Conference for interesting discussions, attentive suggestions, and thoughtful comments; Wellington School of Businesses and Government for financial support; and Meg Donnelly for able research assistance.
Citation
98 Tul. L. Rev. 99