DEAR READERS: The idea of cultivating animals’ cells to manufacture nutritious foods -- as an alternative to slaughtering animals for consumption -- keeps getting closer to reality.

In 2019, BioCraft Pet Nutrition (then known as Because Animals) launched a cat treat with a protein cultured from mouse cells. This May, BioCraft announced its cultivated mouse protein had reached price parity with animal-based meat protein in premium pet foods. Between those two announcements, the company also introduced a cultivated chicken protein slurry for pet food, having decided to base its business strategy on becoming a supplier to the industry.

Since 2019, more companies have entered the cultivated protein space in pet food. Meatly, a U.K.-based supplier, has earned regulatory authorization to sell its cultivated protein; Friends and Family Pet Food and Umami Bioworks are marketing supplements with cultivated fish cells. Further Foods announced its expected completion of feeding trials necessary for regulatory approval of dog foods containing cultivated chicken. Omni, a U.K. vegan pet food company, has launched a cat food with cultivated chicken.

Savor, backed by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, has been experimenting with creating dairy-free alternatives to ice cream, cheese and milk by utilizing a thermochemical process that allows it to build fat molecules. The company has now announced a new animal-free butter alternative.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have read your column for years. Now, after your column about the abuse of monkeys, I am afraid to read it. I had never heard of this, and know I will never forget that article as long as I live.

I know evil is everywhere, but I did not expect to be so horribly sickened by an animal column in my daily newspaper. I am at a loss on how to solve this manifestation of pure evil, but I will pray for our world.

Please share positive, uplifting stories about animal rights progress; we have enough evil on the nightly news. -- S.W., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR S.W.: I am sorry that my reporting of animal cruelty was so upsetting for you, and I fully understand. I have been dealing with what I call the “great divide” between people and other animals (and nature in general) since early childhood, when I witnessed the cruel torture of frogs and the drowning of kittens by my peers. From those early years, living with parents who rescued animals and drew my attention to the wild, I resolved to become a veterinarian.

For most of my professional life, I worked in animal protection -- advocating for their rights while facing much opposition from various industries and individuals, such as hunters and trappers. I have now completed the circle by incorporating the environment into the concept of One Health.

Many people are unaware of -- or in denial about -- the ways animals continue to be mistreated. My intention when reporting instances of animal cruelty is to hold up a mirror and awaken the conscience of the nation so that those who are informed can take action. If you are ready to do so, there are many animal and environmental protection organizations you can support, beginning with your local animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitation center.

We are now at a critical point in our evolution, facing climate change and the accelerating extinction of species worldwide. There are thousands of people around the world who care, and who are dedicating their lives to bringing respect and compassion to all creatures, great and small. A broken heart is an open heart -- a wound we suffer in our awareness of the plight of others, which can move us to compassionate action.

The best preventive against further inhumanity is not more legislation, but more education. All schools should have courses in humane and environmental education, as provided by the Institute for Humane Education. For details, go to: humaneeducation.org/lesson-plans-curricula.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: Please see the following development in the world of meat alternatives, summarized in this July 11 post on AgFunderNews.com:

“The Better Meat Co (BMC) has received a ‘no questions’ letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in response to its determination that its ‘Rhiza’ mycoprotein is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).

“The FDA letter is the first to cover a meat-replacing mycoprotein strain outside of the Fusarium genus ... (and) is also the first to include a U.S. Department of Agriculture evaluation of mycoprotein as a meat enhancer, claims BMC cofounder and CEO Paul Shapiro.

“‘Meats enhanced with Rhiza mycoprotein not only have dramatically superior yields after cooking, along with improved texture, but they also have substantially less saturated fat, cholesterol and calories, while boasting more fiber and potassium,’ said Shapiro. ...

“According to BMC’s GRAS notice, Rhiza mycoprotein is safe to consume in dairy analogs, meat analogs, and as a meat enhancer, has no capacity for producing mycotoxins, and is not associated with any common food allergens.”

Dr. Fox here: Neurospora crassa -- the subject of this specific GRAS notice -- has a well-documented, lengthy history of safe human consumption in a variety of Asian foods as well as animal feeds. Readers wanting to learn more should visit bettermeat.co.

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN DIETS, PROPERLY FORMULATED, APPROVED BY THE BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION

In a new policy position dated July 24, 2024, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has shifted its stance on nutritionally sound vegan diets for dogs, marking a significant step forward for ethical and sustainable dog nutrition. The BVA noted that 42% of companion animal veterinarians reported having clients who feed their dogs meat-free diets. This shift is largely driven by concerns over the health impacts of meat-based diets, as well as their environmental and animal welfare implications.

STOP BIRTHING COW, PIG EXHIBITS AT STATE FAIRS

The Star Tribune reported last month that Minnesota State Fair organizers do not plan to have pregnant cows giving birth at the fair this year because of fears of bird flu.

This is a timely action. The fair’s Miracle of Birth Center (MOBC) is one of a few similar exhibits in other states, including New York, Iowa, Michigan, California and Kansas, which sometimes feature pigs instead of cows. Pigs can carry swine flu, which can infect people. And the highly infectious H5N1 strain of influenza now infecting dairy herds, farm cats and farm workers can be transmitted by houseflies and blowflies.

Would it not be prudent, regardless of testing, to have no cows, pigs or poultry at any state fair? Even putting aside illness concerns, what thought is given to the stress of transporting pregnant cows and sows from farm to fair, and the need of most animals for seclusion and security while giving birth?

ARE YOUR DOGS GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?

The U.K. PDSA Animal Wellbeing report (published in the Veterinary Record in July) reported that dogs show confrontational behavior with other dogs in the home when they get less than 10 hours of sleep, compared to dogs who get more than 13 hours of sleep. Behaviors included growling, snapping or biting toward other dogs in the household. So let sleeping dogs lie undisturbed!

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: We are facing a serious health issue of dysbiosis: the disruption of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms in our soil and our bodies.

One tablespoon of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than the entire human population of Earth. Unfortunately, the focus on monoculture commodity crops, especially corn and soy, has essentially killed the microorganisms in the soil with pesticides in many places. These farmers and agriculture companies now must rely on chemical fertilizers and animal manure, which do not provide proper nutrients for these and other food crops.

Healthy soils are being restored with regenerative and organic agricultural practices. Such soils are better retainers of water and a defense against flooding, and serve as a “carbon sink” to reduce climate change. Fungi, which are neither plants nor animals, play many crucial roles in healthy soils. They provide nutrients for crops via their mycorrhiza connectivity and act as decomposers, decontaminators, recyclers, soil-makers and plant healers.

Crops from improved soils are also more nutritious. Good nutrition supports a strong immune system and a healthy, diverse gut microbiome. A healthy microbiome would include some species of bacteria that produce precursors of oxytocin -- the “bonding” and metabolism-regulating hormone. Higher oxytocin levels in the populace could theoretically increase the overall sense of well-being and decrease depression and aggression.

On the other hand, there is mounting evidence that some antiparasitic drugs and herbicide residues, such as glyphosate, in food can disrupt the gut microbiome, deplete oxytocin levels and cause behavioral and health problems, including sudden aggression in dogs. (For details, see this post on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/antiparasitic-products-and-the-gut-microbiome.)

Dogs who have various health issues can benefit from microbiome restorative therapy, as pioneered by Massachusetts veterinarian Dr. Margo Roman, who was one of the first to make the oxytocin-gut connection in her animal patients.

DEAR DR. FOX: I stumbled upon your website today when I was researching the adverse effects of the chemicals found in the Seresto collar. I was looking into this after the sudden death of my 5-year-old cocker spaniel from adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

He was raw-fed and I was very conscious of household chemicals, etc. I had no idea how dangerous this collar was, and am devastated to think I am responsible for his death by using this awful product. I am based in the U.K. and vets here push all of these toxic flea and tick medications, saying they are totally safe -- when clearly, they are not! -- D.A., Salisbury, Wiltshire, U.K.

DEAR D.A.: It is a challenge to separate all the factors, including genetic and environmental variables, that can trigger certain forms of cancer in dogs (as well as in humans). According to one review, stomach inflammation and ulceration leading to stomach cancer in dogs was associated with the presence of some species of Helicobacter bacteria. What role your dog's raw-food diet played, if any, is an open question. Some raw ingredients could trigger gastric inflammation.

Whatever the case, you should not blame yourself for your dog’s early mortality. My condolences go out to you for all your shock and grief, as well as the suffering your dog experienced.

I wish veterinarians would follow what I advocate when it comes to all such pest-control products: the precautionary principle. The medical oath “First, do no harm” (primum non nocere) should be honored and practiced by human physicians and veterinarians alike.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)