British scientists are aiming to grow steaks in a lab within the next year.
The experts claim that the products would be indistinguishable from high-end cuts purchased from a butcher and could possibly replace farms and slaughterhouses.
Scientists at 3D Biology Tissues say their 100 per cent lab-grown meat could be on menus in the next five years.
The process uses cells taken from a healthy animal, such as a cow, which are stored in a liquid agent before being transferred to a bioreactor to grow the steak.
Company boss Dr. Che Cannon said: "There's probably 20 companies around the world working on different lab meat aspects.
"But as far as we can tell these are mince or other forms but not whole cut."
Geoff Baker, director of parent company BSF Enterprise, said: "Cell agriculture is the next most exciting technology coming along. It'll solve food shortages, it'll solve greenhouse gases because of the reduction of meat from farms - it's the future of farming."