Beyond Burger Named Biggest Breakthrough of 2017

A recent feature published by media outlet Quartz highlighted 11 of the most underrated scientific breakthroughs of 2017. A group of writers identified technologies such as Elon Musk’s Falcon 9 rocket, progress in AIDS treatment, and advancements in gene therapy to eliminate previously incurable diseases as breakthroughs that will have a lasting impact in years to come. On that list, the writers included the success of Beyond Meat’s “bleeding” Beyond Burger as a major step toward a better food system. “It may not seem like a big deal to get out of specialty aisles,” writer Chase Purdy said of Beyond Burger’s placement in the meat department at supermarkets, “but it’s a sign that these products are actually good, and that the doors are opening wide for disruption in the meat industry.” The feature also included advancements made to remove animals from clothing manufacturing, citing biofabrication company Modern Meadow (which makes slaughter-free leather in a lab setting) and Bolt Threads (which makes silk from vegan yeast-based fibers instead of spiders) as top contenders for disrupting the fashion industry in 2018.