It was reported in the news today (at least in the UK) that another step forward has been made towards the creation of "synthetic meat". From BBC News:
The world's first lab-grown burger was cooked and eaten at a news conference in London on Monday.
Scientists took cells from a cow and, at an institute in the Netherlands, turned them into strips of muscle which they combined to make a patty.
Researchers say the technology could be a sustainable way of meeting what they say is a growing demand for meat.
Critics say that eating less meat would be an easier way to tackle predicted food shortages.
What would be the kashrut status of this meat? Firstly I assume there would be the issue of shechita, but if we bypass that, then would this product be considered "meat" at all?
(I mean this in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek way, as I suspect the real answer is that no synthetic meat will ever be considered kosher by the Orthodox authorities, but I do find the question philosophically interesting.)
