A Study on the Limitations and Challenges of Legal Acceptance of Cultured Meat

Abstract

Consumers' food consumption structure changes from grain-centered to meat-centered depending on economic factors and socio-cultural factors. As an alternative to the rapidly growing demand for meat, interest in alternative meat is rapidly increasing, and in particular, interest in cultured meat that is similar to meat in terms of sensuality is emerging. The cultured meat industry is expanding centered on research and development, and recently, commercialization and commercialization of cultured meat have begun in domestic and foreign companies. However, in the commercialization of cultured meat, there is little discussion about the scope and limits of legal acceptability, such as the uncertainty of scientific safety raised by the livestock industry and the ethical responsibility of consumers. Studies related to cultured meat are mainly limited to technical aspects, and studies examining the legal field are lacking. Therefore, in this study, we tried to find out how far cultured meat can be accommodated in the current legal system, that is, the scope, limitations and challenges of legal capacity. Cultured meat is not a product through livestock breeding from the viewpoint of the production system, so there are limitations in receiving the application of the 「Livestock Industry Act」, 「Food Sanitation Act」, and 「Food Code」. cultured meat has no legal basis to apply standards and specifications in the 「Food Sanitation Act」 and 「Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act」 even in the safety system. Even in the labeling system, it cannot be labeled as “meat” because it is not a livestock product stipulated by the 「Livestock Industry Act」. Cultured meat does not have a clear legal basis not only in Korea but also in major developed countries. This is due to ethical and scientific limitations, as well as being in conflict with the livestock industry and livestock products based on existing livestock breeding. Priority should be given to preparing legal regulations that can secure the reliability of the livestock industry, agricultural, and consumers. It is judged that it will be after that that cultured meat can be recognized as a substitute food to the extent that the scope of livestock industry and agriculture is not reduced.