Dear Hadi,
Dear Where's the Beef,
We’ve seen this question asked on a few different platforms, and while we do not want to give fatwas as to whether this is “halal” (allowed) or “haram” (prohibited), we can certainly share with you our understanding of the points of view.
Just a note of clarification first: lab-grown meat is made from animal cells and is thus different from plant-based meat which is made from ingredients such as soy protein.
Islamic scholars seem to be of the opinion that, under the right circumstances, lab-grown meat could be halal. Specifically, they say that the animal cells used in cultivating the lab-grown meat have to come from an animal that is halal for Muslims to eat. So, lab-grown pork, for example, that is made from pork cells would not be considered permissible. Additionally, the scholars seem to agree that no ingredients or nutrients that would not be permissible for Muslim consumption (e.g. blood) should be used as part of the lab cultivation process.
Where the scholars seem to disagree is that some say the animal supplying the cell line must be slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law for the lab-grown meat to be considered halal, while others say the animal from which the cells are derived does not need to be slaughtered and can instead be alive but unharmed in the process.
A quick search online will show that some of the leaders in lab-grown meat are working towards satisfying the requirements needed to have their products deemed halal and/or kosher.
So, to answer your question, we do think lab-grown meat has the potential to be halal but it’s not a given.
In peace.