In the last 10 years, there has been a rise in demand for "free-range", "grass-fed", and humanely-treated" meats in the US. However, according to Certified Humane, "there is currently no legal definition for “Free Range” or “Pasture Raised” in the United States".

Still, many omnivores are continuing to spend that extra few dollars to feel like they are doing their part and the rise in veganism and vegetarianism is growing at a 5% increase, with 16-millions Americans now practicing veganism and vegetarianism, according to The Raw Food World. With increased awareness of where our meat is coming from and the pain, gore, and suffering that is associated with it, more and more Americans are making even a small part to decrease their weekly meat consumption to help both the animals and our environment. However, upwards of 40% of meat produced in the US is wasted - at the retail and consumer level combined, according to Counting Animals.

Would you eat animal meat that was not the result of suffering, abuse, waste, or even death?

Memphis Meats is a San Francisco startup that has been working to create real meat, using stem cells grown in a lab. This meat is grown from cow, chicken, and pig cells that are reproduced and fed nutrients to grow, like growing a filet mignon without the cow.

Their slogan is, "We love meat. But like most Americans, we don’t love the many negative side effects of conventional meat production: environmental degradation, a slew of health risks, animal suffering and food products that contain antibiotics, fecal matter, pathogens and other contaminants."

"For some people there’s an "ick factor to the idea of lab-grown meat, but its backers say that cultured meat may help alleviate the environmental and health challenges posed by the world’s growing appetite for conventional meats", according to The Washington Post.

Although Memphis Meats doesn't see their cultured meats being sold in stores before 2021 the talk of their first "cultured meatball" that was given to taste testers caused a lot of controversy. While many of the taste testers said it tasted just like a regular meatball - thanks to Memphis Meats decision to partner up with top chefs as part of this debut, many readers are scared of the unknown.

Whether you're excited or scared, I encourage you to research the makeup of these meats to come to your own conclusion, because with a Memphis Meats burger selling for $330,000 right now, you have quite a while to make up your mind.