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Lab-Grown Fish

31st January, 2024

Lab-Grown Fish

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Context:

  • The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) initiates a groundbreaking project for lab-grown fish meat.

Lab-Grown Fish

  • Lab-grown fish, also known as cultivated or cell-based fish, is produced through cellular agriculture techniques in a controlled environment.

Process:

  • Specific cells are isolated from fish tissue.
  • Cells are then cultured and grown in a laboratory setting using animal component-free media.

Replication of Qualities:

  • Final product replicates the original flavor, texture, and nutritional qualities of conventionally harvested fish.

Objectives:

  • Address the increasing demand for seafood.
  • Alleviate pressure on wild fish populations and resources.

Environmental Impact:

  • Offers potential benefits for environmental conservation by reducing overfishing and habitat destruction associated with traditional fishing.

Significance:

  • Provides an alternative to conventional fishing methods, contributing to the sustainability of seafood production.
  • Reduces the ecological footprint associated with traditional fisheries.

Challenges:

  • Overcoming technical challenges in achieving the right texture, taste, and nutritional content.
  • Addressing public perceptions and regulatory frameworks.

Nutritional Value:

  • Lab-grown fish aims to match or exceed the nutritional content of traditionally harvested fish.

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Project

Project Objectives:

  • Address the increasing demand for seafood in India.
  • Make advancements in the field of cultured marine fish meat.
  • Alleviate pressure on wild fish resources.

Cultivated Fish Meat Process:

  • Involves isolating specific cells from fish.
  • Grown in a laboratory using animal component-free media.
  • Final product replicates original flavor, texture, and nutritional qualities.

Initial Phase Focus:

  • Development of cell-based meat for high-value marine species like kingfish, pomfret, and seer fish.

Collaboration with Neat Meatt Biotech:

  • Public-private partnership mode with Neat Meatt Biotech, a startup specializing in cultivated meat.
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CMFRI Director A Gopalakrishnan and Neat Meatt Biotech's co-founder and CEO, Dr Sandeep Sharma.

Research Responsibilities Defined:

  • CMFRI to conduct research on early cell line development of high-value marine fish species.
  • Involves isolating and cultivating fish cells for further research and development.
  • CMFRI to handle genetic, biochemical, and analytical work related to the project.

Infrastructure and Expertise:

  • CMFRI equipped with a cell culture laboratory with basic facilities.
  • Solid foundation for research in cellular biology.

Neat Meatt's Role:

  • Leading optimization of cell growth media.
  • Developing scaffolds or microcarriers for cell attachment.
  • Scaling up production through bioreactors.
  • Providing necessary consumables, manpower, and additional equipment.

Significance of the Partnership:

  • Bridges the gap between India and nations like Singapore, Israel, and the USA advancing cultured seafood research.
  • Lab-grown fish holds potential for environmental and food security benefits.
  • Collaboration leverages CMFRI's marine research expertise with Neat Meatt's technological know-how.

Future Prospects:

  • Paves the way for a sustainable and secure future for seafood production in India.
  • Marks a crucial step in the development of cultured seafood research in the country.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding lab-grown fish:

1.The process involves isolating specific cells from fish tissue and growing them in a laboratory using animal component-free media.

2.Lab-grown fish aims to replicate the taste and texture of conventionally harvested fish.

3.The primary objective of lab-grown fish is to reduce pressure on wild fish populations and resources.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A) 2

B) 1 and 3

C) 2 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer. D) 1, 2, and 3

  • The process involves isolating specific cells from fish tissue and growing them in a laboratory using animal component-free media.
    • This statement is correct. Lab-grown fish is produced through cellular agriculture techniques where specific cells from fish tissue are isolated and cultivated in a laboratory environment, using media that is free from animal components. This technique avoids the traditional fishing methods.
  • Lab-grown fish aims to replicate the taste and texture of conventionally harvested fish.
    • This statement is correct. One of the primary objectives of lab-grown fish is to replicate the original taste and texture of conventionally harvested fish. The aim is to provide a product that closely resembles traditionally sourced seafood.
  • The primary objective of lab-grown fish is to reduce pressure on wild fish populations and resources.
    • This statement is correct. Lab-grown fish is developed with the main objective of addressing the increasing demand for seafood while simultaneously reducing the pressure on wild fish populations and marine resources. It offers a sustainable alternative to conventional fishing methods.