lab grown trees

wasn't quite sure to put this here or in the general chat sections but...

looks like we could be getting lab grown wood
3D Printing: Scientists can now grow wood in a lab without cutting a single tree

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Moreover, Beckwith and her team were also able to 3D print custom-designed structures out of the cells cultured in the gel using a 3D bioprinting method. For three months, the lab-printed plant material was incubated in the dark, and the results were shocking. Not only did the lab wood manage to survive, but also grow at a rate twice that of a regular tree.

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Interestingly, the 3D bioprinting technique suggested by the researchers at MIT does not generate any waste and can be employed to produce plant material of any shape and size. “The idea is that you can grow these plant materials in exactly the shape that you need, so you don’t need to do any subtractive manufacturing after the fact, which reduces the amount of energy and waste," Beckwith said.

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Can't wait to cut down a square tree.

The article starts with an incorrect premise. It demonises cutting down trees. However this is not a problem. Actually it is a good thing when it is done from a sustainable forestry. Creating cells in a lab would create a huge problem for the environment including waste. Where do they thing the materials for this process come from? Thin air?

"...the researchers treated the plant cells with a gel-based medium enriched with nutrients and hormones." - yeah, doing that on a global industrial scale doesn't sound like it would be remotely good for the environment.

They talk about making a chair "wasting" 30% of the wood. But it is not wasted. It goes back into the environment and makes a positive contribution to that environment.

Also I do not believe that the energy of cutting wood into timber is greater than the energy of growing wood cell by cell in an industrial factory. That seems an absurd claim.

They aren't solving an environmental problem as far as I can see. They are suggesting a worse problem for the environment.

The problem with forestry is only that part which is unsustainable. And by far the main problem with tree cutting is that it is simply cleared and burnt for farming land or palm oil. Not the tiny bit that is cut to make furniture.

I agree with Daveman, this is a stinking crock to stay well away from.

Amuway, if its' anything like lab grown meat is not going to happen in our lifetime.
I seem to remember the cost of a serve of lab grown chicken nuggets was around $100k.

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Originally Posted by BobL

... I seem to remember the cost of a serve of lab grown chicken nuggets was around $100k.

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Did it taste any better than Maccas?

Probably happen in my lifetime.

Making Meat Affordable: Progress Since The $330,000 Lab-Grown Burger

$300,000 to $10 in 10 years.

With the price of meat increasing its getting close to competitive.


I like the idea of bio manufactured wood if it can be done correctly, even if its not good for woodworking lignin has many uses outside our craft. If lab grown stuff can be the feedstock for other projects it leaves more for traditional construction and can start to offset other things that are running out like sand.

Stronger Than Steel, Able to Stop a Speeding Bullet--It's Super Wood! - Scientific American
Wood can easily be turned transparent to make energy-saving windows | New Scientist

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Originally Posted by BoneInspector

Probably happen in my lifetime.

Making Meat Affordable: Progress Since The $330,000 Lab-Grown Burger

$300,000 to $10 in 10 years.

With the price of meat increasing its getting close to competitive. ...

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I am always wary of reports like this.

Will the labs produce T-bone steaks, or Spam? And will the marketers then tell you that you really prefer Spam?

Dunno about lab grown timber but genetics have come a long way. Ethical considerations aside I cant see why it wouldn't be possible to grow a square tree with some modification.

I recall reading an article many years ago when a tobacco plant was genetically modified with firefly genes to glow.
Back then they said it would (theoretically) one day be possible to grow an entire house prewired for lighting
Looks like bioluminescent plants are now for sale with some scientists suggesting genetically modified trees could be used to light up streets
Glowing trees could light up city streets | New Scientist

A Ukrainian team just won a prize for a concept involving genetically modified trees and grafting to make building structures
This skyscraper concept uses genetically modified trees to grow into a living architectural structure - Yanko Design