Researchers used a gene gun to make lettuce and tobacco produce cattle and pig myoglobin, the protein that gives meat its red colour and umami flavour

• Scientists engineer lettuce and tobacco to produce myoglobin for meat alternativesLet us accept it: livestock farming is a heavy burden on the environment.
• Raising animal feed takes vast amounts of land and huge supplies of freshwater, and it adds to global warming by releasing methane and nitrous oxide.
• Many consumers also worry about animal welfare.