Abstract
According to experts, rapid growth in world population, food crises, climate change, scarce virgin land, overfished oceans, and increased drinking water shortages is forcing the food industry and governments to rethink current food production radically and search for more efficient alternatives for challenges to future food security and safety. In recent years, institutions like the United Nations, the European Commission, and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have stated the need to identify new raw materials and processes for conversion into food products and ingredients to address the risk of further environmental degradation and food insecurity. Among the proposed alternatives, the concept that has received the most attention is the growth of artificial meat from stem cells, micro-algae, insects, and above all plant-based proteins. Although these alternatives seem to be valid plans to save the environment and prevent a potential protein deprivation, this paper provides a critical reading of the phenomenon. The paper explores how the notion of risk, security and authenticity have been addressed by global media discourses. The paper claims that safeguarding the population and environment also implies a growing investment in biotechnological solutions developed within new modes of governance, especially those linked to capitalist production and appropriation of life (i.e., biocapitalism). At the same time, biotechnological solutions trigger questions about food authenticity (fake vs. real meat) and concerns about food sovereignty, especially in connection to local traditional livestock farming.
Presenters
Andreja VezovnikAssociate Professor, Centre for Social Psychology/Department of Media and Communication, University of Ljubljana FDV, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2020 Special Focus—Making The Local: Place, Authenticity, Sustainability
KEYWORDS
Media, Discourse, Biocapitalism, Meat, Sovereignty, Authenticity, Localness
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