Food project proposes □ Matrix-style vertical chicken farms□

http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/02/headless-chicken-solution/

By Olivia Solon 15 February 2012

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Architecture student André Ford has proposed □ a new system for the mass production of chicken
that removes□ the birds'□ cerebral cortex so that they don't experience the horrors□ of being

packed□ together tightly in vertical farms□.

Each year, the UK raises □ and kills□ around 800 million broiler chickens□ for their meat. These
creatures□ are grown in vast sheds□ with no natural light over the course of six to seven

weeks□. They are bred to grow particularly quickly and often die because their hearts □ and

lungs□ cannot keep up with their body's□ rapid growth. [07’:50” – 17’:00” Food Inc.]

Philosopher Paul Thompson from Purdue University has suggested □ "The Blind Chicken Solution

(article.)". He argues□ that chickens□ blinded□ by "accident" have been developed□ into a

strain of laboratory chickens□ that don't mind being crowded□ together as much as normal

chickens□ do. As a result, he argues□, we should consider using blind chickens□ in food

production as a solution to the problem of overcrowding in the poultry industry. He argues□ that

it would be more humane to have blind chickens□ than ones□ that can see.

Ford goes□ a step further and proposes□ a "Headless Chicken Solution". This would involve

removing the cerebral cortex of the chicken to inhibit its□ sensory perceptions□ so that it could

be produced□ in more densely-packed□ conditions□ without the associated□ distress□. The

brain stem for the chicken would be kept intact so that the homeostatic functions □ continue to

operate, allowing it to grow. Ford proposes□ this solution for two reasons□: to meet the rising

demand for meat, particularly poultry, and to improve the welfare of the chickens □ by
desensitising them to the unpleasant reality of their existence.
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□ could then be stacked□ into huge urban farms□ with around

After this "desensitisation", the chickens

1,000 chickens□ hooked□ up to each large vertical frames□ -- a little like the network of pods□ the

humans□ are connected□ to in The Matrix. The feet of the chickens□ would also be removed□ in

order to pack more in. There could be dozens□ of these frames□ in the vertical farming system, which

Ford refers□ to as the Centre for Unconscious Farming (web page).

Food, water and air would be delivered□ via a network of tubes□ and excrement would be removed□

in the same way. This technique could achieve a density of around 11.7 chickens □ per cubic metre

instead of the current 3.2 chickens□ achieved□ in broiler houses□. [Matrix – “Wake up” (02’:02”) ]

A challenge for Ford's□ system would be the lack of muscular stimulation. However, Ford proposes □

using electric shocks□ similar to that used□ in other lab meat (02’:48”) experiments□.

Ford argues□ that his solution is no more shocking than existing food production techniques □. "The

realities□ of the existing systems□ of production are just as shocking," he told Wired.co.uk, "but they

are hidden behind the sentimental guise of traditional farming scenes□ that we as consumers□ hold in

our minds□ and see on our food packaging."

He added: "There are numerous □ differences□ between the current dominant production systems□
and the one I am proposing, but the fundamental difference is the removal of suffering. Whether what I

am proposing is an appropriate means □ to achieve the removal of suffering is open to interpretation. In

reality this should be decided □ at the level of the individual consumer, at the counter, handing over their
money and 'voting' for their system of preference."

Ford believes□ that the Headless Chicken Solution has the same intentions□ as the lab-grown meats□
we have seen developed□ recently. "The intentions□ are the same -- the synthesis□ of animal protein

without the suffering," he says□. However, he believes□ that the inability to synthesise□ blood

vessels□ will prove to be a major challenge for those seeking to create 3D chunks□ of lab meat.

The likeness□ to The Matrix has not gone unnoticed□ by Ford. "The similarities are patent (01’:32”),
although in The Matrix the dominant species□ were kind enough to provide the sub-species □ with an
alternate reality, which was far better than their 'real' post-apocalyptic world," he told us. "This was a

lovely gesture by 'The Machines □', but the chickens□ in this system will not be privy to such a
luxurious □ appendage to an already elaborate system, especially in this age of austerity."