The Unjournal · Pivotal Questions Initiative

Get Involved — Cultivated Meat Cost Research

The May 8 workshop has taken place. The project continues — contribute beliefs, feedback, and interest in future events.

Workshop held Fri May 8, 2026 · Ongoing async participation · Future sessions planned
💬 Discuss: Annotate via Hypothes.is  ·  GitHub Discussions: 💬 Workshop · 🧠 Substantive · 🎯 PQ framing · 📖 map

This workshop focuses on cultivated meat's production cost trajectory — a high-value, tractable question for animal welfare funding decisions. See the workshop overview for full context and resources.

Workshop completed · May 8, 2026

The workshop has taken place — the project continues.

Workshop Summary → Update your beliefs → Recordings →

Ways to stay involved: update your beliefs on the form, annotate the summary via Hypothes.is, join the GitHub discussion, or use the form below to register interest in future synchronous sessions.

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About You

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Which Topics Interest You for Future Sessions?

The May 8 sessions have taken place — but this form is now used to register interest in future workshops. Check any topics relevant to you. The session structure below reflects what was covered on May 8.

Main workshop · Fri 8 May · 11am–3pm ET

If you'd like to join an informal session at a different time, participate asynchronously, or suggest a separate conversation, note it here.

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Which Potential Segments Interest You?

All fields in this section are optional. You don't need to attend the full session — indicate your interest in passive or active participation for each segment. Click ☆ to cycle through priority levels: ★ (interested) or ★★ (high priority). (more about each segment)

TEA Landscape: Where Do They Disagree? (~40 min): Walking through the optimistic-to-pessimistic spectrum (Pasitka → CE Delft → Humbird). Which assumptions drive the large cost gap? What's changed since 2022?
Crux 1: Media Costs & Growth Factors (~45 min): The biggest variable cost. GFI's amino acid data vs Humbird's assumptions. Will hydrolysates replace purified growth factors? Realistic media costs per kg by 2036.
Crux 2: Bioreactors, Scale-Up & Cell Density (~40 min): Pharma-grade vs food-grade vs custom-built. Achievable cell densities at scale. Batch vs continuous perfusion. The gap between TEA projections and commercial reality.
CM_01 Beliefs & Synthesis (~40 min): Given the discussion, what will CM cost per kg in 2036? Structured beliefs elicitation. Where do we agree/disagree? What research would have highest value of information?
Additional / optional segments:
Business, Government & Cost of Capital: Regulatory environment, philanthropic funding landscape, and how financing costs affect the cost trajectory.
How Is Cultured Meat Produced?: A cost-focused background overview for participants less familiar with the production process. See also our learning resources.
TEA Modeling & Forecasting (Post-Workshop): Hands-on session — constructing TEAs, uncertainty modeling, and forecasting. Extended (2–5 hours, may be scheduled separately).
TEA Landscape: Where Do They Disagree?
Optimistic vs pessimistic TEAs, what drives the large cost gap (~40 min)
Crux 1: Media Costs & Growth Factors
Amino acids, hydrolysates, growth factors — the biggest variable cost (~45 min)
Crux 2: Bioreactors, Scale-Up & Cell Density
Equipment costs, cell density at scale, batch vs perfusion (~40 min)
CM_01 Beliefs & Synthesis
What will CM cost in 2031/36/51? Beliefs elicitation, key disagreements, next steps (~40 min)
Business, Government & Cost of Capital
Regulatory environment, philanthropic funding landscape, and financing costs
How Is Cultured Meat Produced?
A cost-focused background overview for participants less familiar with the production process
TEA Modeling & Forecasting (Post-Workshop)
Hands-on: constructing TEAs, uncertainty modeling, and forecasting. Extended hack session (2–5 hours, separate day possible)
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Recording & Publication

We hope to record the workshop, provide transcripts, and share discussion materials publicly — adjusting this based on participant preferences and recommendations. Please indicate your preferences:

Your responses help us plan future sessions and ensure we reach you when new events are announced.

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Other Pivotal Questions Workshops

The Unjournal is organizing several workshops in 2026: