We’ve got synthetic meat, so why not synthetic milk? Apparently, it’s a thing, and it’s coming. Synthetic milk does not require cows or other animals. It can have the same biochemical make up as animal milk, but is grown from cells using an emerging biotechnology technique know as “precision fermentation.” Synthetic milks offer dairy milk without concerns like methane emissions or animal welfare. And here’s another great thing: Unlike synthetic meat – which can struggle to match the complexity and texture of animal meat – synthetic milk is said to have the same taste, look, and feel as normal dairy milk. Although it still has a few obstacles to overcome to become a sustainable and viable alternative to animal-based milk, synthetic milk is not a sci-fi fantasy; it already exists. In the US, the Perfect Day company supplies animal-free protein, which is then used to make ice cream, protein powder, and milk. And an Australian company projects that within 7 years, its synthetic milk will be cheaper than cow milk.
(And in Canada, we’re just worried whether we’ll be able to buy synthetic milk in a bag!)
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