Fringe Mini: Deja-Moo; Same Cow, New Leather

This week, we find some good news in a surprising place: the fashion industry! We discuss the groundbreaking cultivated leather created by a North Carolina startup, featuring their star, a very much alive sanctuary cow named Angel. Biomedical engineer George Engelmeier grows real collagen from Angel's harmlessly-sampled skin cells on plant-based scaffolds, creating luxury leather goods like wallets and jewelry without the need for slaughter, toxic tanning chemicals, or heavy environmental impact. The discussion centers on whether this new, cruelty-free material—which dramatically reduces water use and emissions—can be considered truly "vegan," or if it simply represents the best path forward for the multi-billion dollar leather market.As always like, share, follow and power to the people Source: https://www.wral.com/business/technology/lab-cultivated-leather-cow-october-2025/