Veterans Criticize Pentagon’s Proposal to Feed Troops Lab-Grown Meat

Several military veterans have expressed strong disapproval of a new Pentagon proposal to introduce lab-grown meat into the diets of active service members. The plan, proposed by BioMADE, a Pentagon-funded company, aims to reduce the military’s carbon footprint through the use of ‘cell-based meat.’ This initiative has garnered significant criticism from veterans who view it as an unnecessary and unethical experiment on troops.

Lab-Grown Meat: A Controversial Proposal

BioMADE, which has received over $500 million in funding from the Department of Defense (DOD), announced the proposal in May. The initiative, known as the SLAM Project, is set to begin in February 2025. The primary goal is to create nutrient-dense rations for the military using lab-grown meat, thus reducing the military’s carbon emissions.

Lab-grown meat, also known as cell-based meat, is produced by cultivating animal cells in a controlled environment, eliminating the need to slaughter animals. Despite its potential environmental benefits, the concept is still in its experimental phase and only received initial government approval for sale last year.

Veterans’ Concerns on Lab-Grown Meat

Veterans have voiced their concerns about the proposal, with many feeling that the military should focus on its primary mission of national defense rather than experimenting with new food sources. Martin Bailey, a former U.S. Special Forces member, criticized the idea, stating, ‘The government should focus on letting the military protect our nation from enemies, foreign and domestic, sometimes, but you know, that’s what the military is there for. They’re not there to be experimental lab-rats.’

Another veteran, Tim W., a former Navy SEAL, highlighted the distrust among troops due to previous experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘There’s a large number of active reserve guard members who are still a little jaded from the COVID shot and are very unwilling to be part of the new experiment,’ he said.

Political and Ethical Implications

The proposal has also sparked political and ethical debates. Critics argue that the Pentagon’s focus on reducing its carbon footprint and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts is misaligned with the military’s core objectives. Rob O’Neill, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, expressed his frustration, saying, ‘The military’s job is forward defense, alliance, solidarity, and deterrence, and that’s it. All that other stuff is crap … this is typical Washington DC nonsense movement.’

Bailey also questioned the ethics of feeding lab-grown meat to military personnel, suggesting that it would be unethical to test such products on vulnerable populations like the homeless. ‘There’s a reason they don’t, because that would be completely unethical. So why is it ethical to stick it down the throat of our military service members?’ he asked.

Broader Implications for Military Rations

The U.S. Military’s rations have long been a subject of scrutiny, with Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) often criticized for their taste and nutritional value. Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller commented on the current state of military rations, saying, ‘It appears that until new Defense Department leadership builds a winning force, service members will continue surviving off scraps.’

Eric Greitens, former Governor of Missouri and Navy SEAL, further criticized the proposal, linking it to broader issues within the military. ‘Trying to force troops to eat lab-grown meat to reduce CO2 emissions is the height of woke nonsense. It’s such a stupid idea, that in any sane world it would be considered a joke,’ he stated. Greitens also referenced the military’s recruitment challenges, exacerbated by policies like mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

Conclusion: A Divisive Issue

The Pentagon’s proposal to introduce lab-grown meat into military rations has ignited a heated debate among veterans and policymakers. While the initiative aims to address environmental concerns, many veterans believe it distracts from the military’s primary mission and raises ethical questions. As the SLAM Project moves forward, it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed and whether lab-grown meat will become a staple in military diets.

Source: The Daily Caller