On 29 October 2024, the B-Trust project held a co-creation session on cell factories in Aarhus, Denmark. The workshop aimed to explore public perspectives on biotechnology as a solution for sustainable food production. Building on insights from a previous session in Belgium, it provided an opportunity for participants to share their views on the benefits and challenges of cell factory technology.

A total of 16 participants attended the session, representing a diverse mix of ages, genders, and backgrounds. The group included progressive eaters open to trying new products, conscious citizens focused on sustainability, and individuals with strong views on food production who nonetheless engaged constructively. The session began with an overview of current food production challenges, followed by an introduction to cell factory technology and its applications. Participants then explored different future scenarios involving biotechnology and discussed their potential impact.

Concerns raised included the potential for large corporations to monopolise cell factory technology, the impact on traditional farming jobs, and the perceived “artificiality” of lab-grown food. Participants also questioned whether food produced through cell factories would retain the taste and quality of natural products and raised concerns about the energy consumption involved in the production process.

On the positive side, participants recognised the potential environmental benefits, such as reduced CO2 emissions and more efficient land use. There was also optimism about the potential for cell factories to create new business opportunities and improve food security in vulnerable regions. Some participants highlighted the potential for cell factory products to offer specific health benefits, including longer shelf life and greater convenience.

The session closed with a discussion on building consumer trust. Participants emphasised the need for transparency about production processes, strong regulatory frameworks, and consumer engagement through product demonstrations and test panels. Ensuring affordability and rethinking the term “cell factory” to make it more appealing were also suggested as ways to increase acceptance.

📢 Stay tuned for more updates on the B-Trust co-creation process and upcoming workshops!

This project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme 2021-2027.