Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer should accelerate development of the alternative-protein industry, specifically by funding cultured-meat research. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, cultured meat is grown from cells, without slaughter. It’s better for animal welfare, public health and the environment.

Upside Foods recently announced its cultivated chicken will be available to consumers this year, pending regulatory review. Despite this progress, open-access research is necessary to help reach price parity and address significant knowledge gaps, such as those surrounding the creation of whole-cut meats.

Congress should reallocate the billions of dollars a year in subsidies the federal government gives to the slaughtered meat and dairy industries to cellular-agriculture development. We can create a food system that isn’t cruel to animals, that doesn’t breed pandemics and that isn’t driving climate change.

Jon Hochschartner

Granby, Connecticut