Cultivarianism vs. Veganism: Ethical Differences
- David Bell
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
When it comes to ethical eating, Cultivarianism and Veganism offer two distinct approaches to reducing harm caused by food production. Both aim to address issues like animal suffering and environmental damage, but they differ in their methods and philosophies:
Cultivarianism supports eating cultivated meat - real meat grown from animal cells without slaughter. It focuses on reducing animal deaths, lowering resource use (e.g., 99% less land), and embracing scientific advancements in food production.
Veganism rejects all forms of animal exploitation, including meat, dairy, and other animal-derived products. It promotes plant-based diets and extends its principles to areas like clothing and cosmetics.
Quick Comparison
Criteria | Cultivarianism | Veganism |
Animal Welfare | No animal slaughter | No animal use or exploitation |
Dietary Approach | Includes cultivated meat | Excludes all animal products |
Environmental Impact | Focuses on reducing resource use | Advocates for plant-based alternatives |
Ethical Scope | Limited to meat production | Broad, covering all animal-related industries |
Use of Technology | Fully supports lab-grown meat | Mixed views on cultivated meat |
Both approaches share a commitment to improving food production systems and reducing harm but cater to different ethical priorities. Whether you're drawn to the idea of lab-grown meat or a plant-based lifestyle, both paths aim to create a more compassionate future.
What is Cultivarianism?
Cultivarianism is a dietary identity centred on consuming meat that’s produced without the need for slaughter. The focus is on cultivated meat - real meat grown in bioreactors - as a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional meat production. This philosophy is grounded in three main ethical principles.
As described by The Cultivarian Society:
"A Cultivarian is someone who chooses cultivated meat - real meat grown without raising or killing animals - as part of a new dietary identity. We're not vegan, not vegetarian, and not asking anyone to give up meat. We are Cultivarian." [2]
Core Ethical Principles
Cultivarianism is built on three guiding values:
Rejection of animal slaughter: It opposes the killing of animals for food, highlighting the staggering number of animals slaughtered every year [2].
Environmental responsibility: Cultivated meat production is far less resource-intensive, using 99% less land and emitting up to 92% fewer greenhouse gases compared to conventional meat [2].
Support for scientific progress: This dietary identity reflects a belief in technology’s ability to create a more humane and sustainable food system.
Cultivarianism also addresses the moral conflict many omnivores face - wanting to enjoy meat while being concerned about its ethical and environmental costs. By offering the same taste and nutritional benefits of traditional meat without the need for slaughter, it provides a solution to this dilemma [1].
The Cultivarian Society
Founded by David Bell, The Cultivarian Society plays a key role in defining and promoting the Cultivarian identity. The organisation focuses on education, advocacy, and building a community around the idea of reforming meat production. Through its efforts, it aims to influence discussions on animal welfare and the future of food.
Cultivarianism in the UK
In the UK, cultivated meat is regulated as a novel food by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Before cultivated meat can be sold commercially, it must undergo a rigorous pre-market safety authorisation process. As of early 2026, no cultivated meat products have received full approval for sale in the UK, though the regulatory process is actively progressing.
What is Veganism?
Veganism is more than just a diet - it's a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to eliminate all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. This extends beyond food to choices in clothing, cosmetics, and other consumer goods.
Ethical Foundations
At its core, veganism is built on the belief that animals should not be treated as resources. For many, this ethical stance leads to opposing industrial animal agriculture, which is often criticised as being both inhumane and harmful. Philosopher Rosalind Hursthouse captured this sentiment succinctly:
"The practices that bring cheap meat to our tables are cruel, so we shouldn't be party to them." [1]
The environmental impact of livestock farming further strengthens this ethical case. Livestock supply chains are responsible for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, nearly 80% of the world's habitable agricultural land is dedicated to livestock farming, including both grazing and the production of animal feed [6]. These figures highlight the broader consequences of animal agriculture, reinforcing the moral argument for veganism.
From these principles, vegan practices can take different forms, reflecting varied interpretations of the philosophy.
Dietary Veganism vs. Ethical Veganism
Not everyone who avoids animal products does so for the same reasons. Dietary vegans focus primarily on food choices, often for health or environmental reasons. Ethical vegans, on the other hand, adopt a more comprehensive approach, applying the principle of non-exploitation across all areas of life. This includes avoiding leather goods, cosmetics tested on animals, and even scrutinising innovations like cultivated meat. For ethical vegans, such products raise questions about animal use and commodification, while dietary vegans might evaluate them based on nutrition or sustainability.
Veganism in the UK: Legal and Cultural Standing
In the UK, ethical veganism is recognised as a protected philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010. This was established in January 2020, during the Casamitjana v. The League Against Cruel Sports case. Employment Judge Robin Postle ruled:
"I am satisfied overwhelmingly that ethical veganism does constitute a philosophical belief." [5]
This legal recognition means that discrimination based on ethical vegan beliefs is unlawful, placing it alongside other protected characteristics. Beyond the legal framework, veganism has seen significant cultural growth in the UK. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of vegans in Great Britain quadrupled, and participation in the annual Veganuary pledge surged from 3,000 in 2014 to over 350,000 in 2020 [5]. These changes reflect the increasing influence of veganism, both legally and socially, setting the stage for discussions on how it compares to concepts like Cultivarianism.
Where Cultivarianism and Veganism Agree
Despite their differences, Cultivarianism and veganism share some important ethical goals. Both movements take a strong stand against industrial animal agriculture - a system that prioritises production and profit over animal welfare and environmental care. This shared commitment highlights their mutual aim of creating a more compassionate and responsible food system.
Reducing Animal Suffering
Both approaches reject the unnecessary suffering of animals. Every year, billions of animals are slaughtered - a reality that both ethical vegans and Cultivarians find deeply troubling. Ethicist Rosalind Hurtshouse captures this sentiment perfectly:
"The virtuous cannot deny this suffering. The virtuous can't think it anything but callous to ignore it." [1]
While their methods differ - Cultivarianism focuses on eliminating slaughter through lab-grown meat, and veganism advocates for cutting out animal products altogether - they are united by their compassion for animals. Beyond this shared concern for animal welfare, both movements also address the environmental consequences of traditional farming practices.
Concern for the Environment
Both Cultivarianism and veganism acknowledge the environmental damage caused by conventional livestock farming. This industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and consumes vast amounts of water, making it a major strain on the planet's resources.
Cultivated meat, for instance, is projected to use up to 99% less land and between 82–96% less water compared to conventional European meat production [3]. Both movements aim to move away from systems that deplete natural resources and harm the environment.
Changing How Food is Produced
With a focus on animal welfare and environmental sustainability, both ideologies call for a major shift in how food is produced. They challenge the "factory farming paradigm", which prioritises efficiency above all else, including ethical and environmental concerns.
As the Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics puts it, "cellular agriculture - growing products at the cellular, rather than organism, level - offers the prospect of animal products without these negative impacts" [1]. Even ethical vegans, who may not personally choose cultivated meat, often see it as a practical step toward reducing the suffering caused by industrial farming. While their approaches differ, both movements envision a future where fewer animals endure the hardships of current farming practices.
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Key Ethical Differences Between Cultivarianism and Veganism
While both Cultivarianism and veganism aim to reduce harm to animals and the planet, their ethical frameworks and expectations diverge in some key areas. These differences shape how each movement defines ethical eating and what they ask of their followers.
Views on Meat Consumption
At its core, the most obvious distinction is this: veganism outright rejects all forms of animal tissue, while Cultivarianism embraces meat - as long as no animal was killed to produce it.
As The Cultivarian Society explains:
"A Cultivarian is someone who chooses cultivated meat - real meat grown without raising or killing animals - as part of a new dietary identity. We're not vegan, not vegetarian, and not asking anyone to give up meat." [2]
Interestingly, some researchers have pointed out that industrial plant-based agriculture can also result in unintended animal deaths. This highlights the pragmatic stance of Cultivarianism, which contrasts with veganism's strict commitment to avoiding all forms of animal exploitation [4]. These differences also extend to how each philosophy views technological advancements in food production.
Views on Technology in Food
Cultivarianism embraces biotechnology wholeheartedly. Cellular agriculture, the process of growing meat from animal cells in a bioreactor, is seen as a groundbreaking solution rather than a compromise. For example, a single biopsy from a cow can produce up to 88,000 burgers [7], while the process generates about 92% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional meat production [2].
Vegans, however, have mixed views on cellular agriculture. Some see cultivated meat as a practical way to reduce suffering globally, even if they wouldn't consume it themselves. Others question whether such technology simply fuels an unnecessary craving for meat and instead advocate for whole-food, plant-based diets [1]. Philosopher Dr Eva-Maria Düringer captures this tension:
"The virtuous vegetarian would not herself eat cultivated meat... Nonetheless, she recognizes that some meat-eaters experience omnivore's akrasia... She thus extends understanding to them... supporting the development of a cellular agriculture industry." [1]
Scope of Ethical Commitment
The ethical focus of each movement also differs significantly. Veganism extends its principles to all areas of animal exploitation, encompassing food, clothing, cosmetics, and more. Cultivarianism, on the other hand, narrows its scope to meat production alone.
For individuals who find it difficult to completely eliminate meat from their diets, Cultivarianism provides a way to align their actions with their values - without requiring the broader ethical commitment that veganism entails.
Conclusion: Two Paths, Shared Goals
Cultivarianism and veganism aren't opposing forces - they're two different but connected ways of addressing the problems caused by our current food system, including animal suffering and environmental damage. While veganism calls for a complete move away from animal products, Cultivarianism offers an alternative for those who still want to consume meat but in a way that avoids slaughter.
Each approach contributes to a shared vision of more ethical food production. Cultivarianism, in particular, presents the possibility of enjoying real meat produced without harming animals, paving the way for a kinder and more forward-thinking food system. This idea is championed by the Cultivarian Society, which supports this innovative shift.
Ultimately, both movements share the same goals: reducing harm to animals, protecting the planet, and moving towards a more responsible way of producing food. Together, they offer different paths to a shared, compassionate future in how we eat.
FAQs
Is cultivated meat cruelty-free?
Cultivated meat is often seen as a more humane option since it’s made without the need to slaughter animals, eliminating the associated suffering and harm. By relying on cell cultivation rather than traditional farming practices, it provides a kinder approach to producing meat.
Is cultivated meat approved for sale in the UK yet?
Cultivated meat is currently being tested and is close to gaining approval for sale in the UK. Although a few products are available under temporary post-Brexit regulations, full approval for widespread consumer access has not yet been granted.
Can you be Cultivarian and still avoid other animal products?
Cultivarianism gives you the freedom to skip other animal products if you prefer. At its core, it focuses on swapping traditional meat for cultivated meat - real meat grown without the need for slaughter. It doesn’t demand that you cut out all animal products or commit to veganism or vegetarianism. Instead, it’s adaptable, allowing you to choose whether to include or avoid other animal-derived products based on your personal beliefs and choices.
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