Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the wealthiest people in the world said in an interview with MIT Technology Review that rich countries should shift to synthetic beef (plant-based meat). He added that plant-based beef can be an alternative to meat and that people “will get used to taste differences”. 

Billionaire and philanthropist Gates said that "80 poorest countries" must continue to consume real meat. However, the wealthiest countries can only contribute to climate change if they switch to plant-based meat.

"I do think all rich countries should move to 100% synthetic beef. You can get used to the taste difference, and the claim is they’re going to make it taste even better over time. Eventually, that green premium is modest enough that you can sort of change the [behavior of] people or use regulation to totally shift the demand," Gates told the MIT Tech Review.

Bill gates releases a book about climate change

On February 14, Gates released a new book "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster". In his book, the co-founder of Microsoft tackled the climate change subject and alternative technologies that can eradicate greenhouse-gas emissions. He addressed technology innovations that need to be developed to further enhance the world’s ability in dealing with climate change. Furthermore, Gates argued that the only way to reduce methane emissions is by producing more plant-based beef.

"There are all the things where they feed them different food, like there’s this one compound that gives you a 20% reduction [in methane emissions]. But sadly, those bacteria [in their digestive system that produce methane] are a necessary part of breaking down the grass. And so I don’t know if there’ll be some natural approach there. I’m afraid the synthetic [protein alternatives like plant-based burgers] will be required for at least the beef thing."

Moreover, Gates praised companies involved in the plant-based beef industry. The billionaire and software developer said that companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have a "quality road map and a cost road map that makes them totally competitive."

For instance, Impossible Foods makes synthetic beef-based burgers. The company provides genetically modified meats to the market as an alternative. Unlike other real meat, Impossible Foods sells artificial meat for 20% cheaper than real meat in stores. Meanwhile, Beyond Meat, a rival to Impossible Foods also sells its plant-based meat to over 2,400 Walmart stores.

The process of making Plant-based beef includes harvesting muscle cells from a living cow. Afterward, genetic engineers feed the cells and then multiply them to create the muscle tissue — the main component of real meat.