Mylan et al. analysed academic research alongside primary research into start-up companies and multinational corporates, including company websites, annual reports, press releases, news media and third-party market research, to assess the socio-technical protein transition. Using a multi-level perspective framework, they found that an intensification of engagement with existing scientific and technological foundations by a variety of actors has accelerated the development of this niche within the past 15 years. Science and foundational technologies from the petrochemical, genetics, biotechnology and medical fields underpinned technological advancements in many of these niches. Yet, there were differences in the extent of their diffusion related to the varying technical and regulatory conditions pertaining to each niche. Discourse around meat and dairy consumption prompted increased levels of corporate engagement, which likely contributed to the legitimacy of alternative protein technologies, encouraging further industry engagement to develop and commercialize novel solutions to food system challenges.
Animal-sourced foods remain the dominant protein source in high-income, industrialized nations, and demand is projected to increase in rapidly developing economies. Mylan et al. noted that, in contrast to other resource-intensive production-consumption systems such as energy and mobility, support for the protein transition from public policy has been largely lacking. Ongoing governmental support for animal agriculture not only creates hurdles for the protein transition but also hampers global efforts to address the sustainability of food systems and meet the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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