Dutch scientist hopes to "grow" a burger from stem cells in his lab this year

[Emily]

(Don't worry, he won't be using any type of human stem cells. )

http://news.thomasnet.com/green_clean/2011/12/27/2012-the-year-of-the-worlds-first-lab-grown-burger/

2012: The Year of the World?s First Lab-Grown Burger
December 27th, 2011 Author: Tracey Schelmetic
[snip]
Dr. Post?s process begins with muscle stem cells called ?myosatellites? sourced from leftover meat and other animal product scraps from slaughterhouses (though there is apparently no reason why the stem cells could not be initially grown from minimal biopsies from living animals). Researchers would use electric shocks to stimulate growth and replication, then ?nurture? these stem cells and ?feed? them a diet of special nutrients: sugars, amino acids, lipids, minerals and other things that will help the stem cells grow into the desired finished product. Dr. Post?s research thus far has produced whitish, transparent strips about an inch long and a fraction of an inch wide. Observers say they look a little bit like the flesh of sea scallops....

Interview professor Mark Post of Maastricht University with here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15403454

PETA is reported to be offering a million dollar reward for a successful lab-grown meat product.