The interest of Brazilian professionals and students in learning cellular agriculture

Abstract: The development of alternative protein production systems requires strategic planning, and education plays a key role in creating new job opportunities, unlocking the potential of cellular agriculture to address various socioeconomic, environmental, and ethical objectives. This study aimed to explore the interest in learning about cellular agriculture among Brazilians. An online questionnaire was distributed between February 2022 and February 2023, yielding 387 responses from 382 participants, as five individuals responded both as professionals and students. Of the total, 201 (51.9%) were professionals and 186 (48.1%) undergraduate students, with 76 (19.6%) agrarian sciences professionals, 125 (32.2%) professionals from other fields, 138 (35.6%) agrarian sciences students, and 48 (12.4%) students in different fields. Of the total respondents, 281 (73.6%) expressed a desire to learn about cellular agriculture, motivated by the benefits of cultivated meat and the opportunity to access innovative knowledge. Interest was particularly strong among those in agrarian sciences, who saw this area as a promising career entry. Among participants, 305 (79.8%) had heard of cultivated meat, 290 (75.9%) expressed interest in trying it, and 141 (36.9%) believed that consuming it would have an impact on their personal lives. Notably, 43 (18.9%) participants expressed a willingness to adopt a diet in which cultivated meat would be the only type of meat consumed. This study highlights the growing interest in cellular agriculture among professionals and undergraduate students, including their perceptions of innovation and potential benefits of cultivated meat. It indicates a demand for a deeper understanding and new job opportunities in the field.