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Why Is Precision Fermentation Called a Green Technology for Reducing Animal Farming Impact?
Precision fermentation is a green technology by slashing emissions, land, and water use through animal-free microbial protein production, reducing reliance on farming and fossil fuels across industries.
Question
Why is precision fermentation considered a “green technology”?
A. It eliminates the need for refrigeration
B. It uses only plant-based feedstocks
C. It can reduce reliance on animal farming and non-renewable resources to lower environmental impact in a variety of industries
D. It requires no energy input
Answer
C. It can reduce reliance on animal farming and non-renewable resources to lower environmental impact in a variety of industries
Explanation
Precision fermentation earns its “green technology” label by producing animal-free proteins, fats, and other ingredients through engineered microbes in controlled bioreactors, drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions (up to 70% less for dairy/egg proteins), land use (95% less), and water consumption (80% less) compared to conventional livestock agriculture, while also minimizing nutrient pollution, eutrophication, and deforestation pressures. This approach extends beyond food to chemicals and materials, replacing fossil fuel-derived feedstocks with renewable sugars, thus lowering the carbon footprint across industries through efficient microbial conversion and circular waste utilization that supports biodiversity preservation over monoculture farming.