To the editor:

Tom Vilsack, incoming head of the United States Department of Agriculture, should do everything in his power to help the nascent cultured-meat industry. For those who aren’t aware, cultured meat is grown from cells, without slaughtering animals. The USDA will share responsibility for regulating cultured meat with the Food and Drug Administration.

Singapore recently became the first country in the world to approve the sale of this ground-breaking protein. Hopefully, America will soon follow suit. There is so much to be gained from the widespread adoption of cultured meat. It will benefit human health, the environment and animal welfare. Vilsack should assist the development of this important industry.

Jon Hochschartner

Granby, Connecticut