On September 30, two biohackers received 2 million
dollars to develop the world’s first man-made cow’s milk.
dollars to develop the world’s first man-made cow’s milk.
By modifying sunflower oil to mimic milk fats and culturing
yeast to release casein, Ryan Pandya and Perumal Gandhi are hoping to create
a plant-based milk that is nearly identical to dairy.
yeast to release casein, Ryan Pandya and Perumal Gandhi are hoping to create
a plant-based milk that is nearly identical to dairy.
Their startup, aptly named Muufri (sounds like moo-free), aims
to tap into the 140 billion-dollar dairy industry and have animal-free milk on
the shelves before 2017.
to tap into the 140 billion-dollar dairy industry and have animal-free milk on
the shelves before 2017.
“We’re basically using biotechnology to make milk without
pasteurization and without the risk of contaminants like pesticides, hormones
or bacteria that can spoil the milk quickly, Pandya says. “It’s quite similar
to the process to make medicine and insulin, so it will be super sterile.
pasteurization and without the risk of contaminants like pesticides, hormones
or bacteria that can spoil the milk quickly, Pandya says. “It’s quite similar
to the process to make medicine and insulin, so it will be super sterile.
Additionally, Muufri milk will have virtually no carbon
footprint compared to milk taken from cows. Not only can it take up to 2,000 gallons
of fresh water to produce one gallon of cow’s milk, but dairy farms have
also been linked to dangerous levels of air
pollution. In fact, in Los Angeles alone, dairy farms may be responsible
for as much of the area’s notorious smog layer as cars.
footprint compared to milk taken from cows. Not only can it take up to 2,000 gallons
of fresh water to produce one gallon of cow’s milk, but dairy farms have
also been linked to dangerous levels of air
pollution. In fact, in Los Angeles alone, dairy farms may be responsible
for as much of the area’s notorious smog layer as cars.
But it’s the cows who will benefit most once Muufri makes
its way to supermarkets. Cows abused for dairy products live in deplorable
conditions and routinely have their newborn calves stolen from them.
its way to supermarkets. Cows abused for dairy products live in deplorable
conditions and routinely have their newborn calves stolen from them.
Check out the footage from MFA’s latest investigation from a
dairy farm that supplied to Leprino Foods, the world’s largest mozzarella
producer.
dairy farm that supplied to Leprino Foods, the world’s largest mozzarella
producer.
But there’s no need to wait for Muufri’s debut to switch to
milk that’s environmentally friendly and cruelty-free. Check out ChooseVeg.com today and learn
all about the delicious plant-based milks that are widely available now.
milk that’s environmentally friendly and cruelty-free. Check out ChooseVeg.com today and learn
all about the delicious plant-based milks that are widely available now.
