Fast-food giant KFC is currently developing the world’s first lab-grown chicken nuggets made from real animal cells.
The first-of-a-kind nuggets are being dubbed the "Meat of the Future" with the first batch for sampling expected to be ready by autumn 2020.
Foods such as Quorn nuggets are already grown in lab-type conditions but this would mark the first time it's been made using real poultry.
The venture with Russian biotechnology company 3D Printing Solutions, aims to create the world’s first lab-grown chicken nuggets made from real animal cells and plant-based ingredients.
KFC said the move will help it become the "restaurant of the future".
It said it will provide bread, spices and other ingredients to match the restaurant’s "signature" flavour.
The fast food chain added that its "biomeat" will remove the additives used in traditional farming and create a "cleaner final product".
It said that the lab-grown meat will also cut down on energy consumption and harm to animals.
The process is also more ethical than factory farming as lab-grown meat production is slaughter-free. However, because the product is based on animal tissues, it is not vegetarian.
Raisa Polyakova, general manager of KFC Russia, said in a statement that "crafted meat products" are part of KFC’s "restaurant of the future concept."
Get the latest money advice, news and help straight to your inbox - sign up at mirror.co.uk/email
"At KFC, we are closely monitoring all of the latest trends and innovations and doing our best to keep up with the times by introducing advanced technologies to our restaurant networks," Polyakova said.
"Our experiment in testing 3D bioprinting technology to create chicken products can also help address several looming global problems. We are glad to contribute to its development and are working to make it available to thousands of people in Russia and, if possible, around the world."
Yusef Khesuani, co-founder and managing partner of 3D Bioprinting Solutions, added: "3D bioprinting technologies, initially widely recognised in medicine, are nowadays gaining popularity in producing foods such as meat.
“In the future, the rapid development of such technologies will allow us to make 3D-printed meat products more accessible.
"We are hoping that the technology created as a result of our cooperation with KFC will help accelerate the launch of cell-based meat products on the market."
