New documentary highlights cell culture tech to grow meat, carbon capture and aquaculture

In Washington, D.C., Gravitas Ventures, released Just Add Firewater LLC’s documentary “They Say It Can’t Be Done,” which follows four entrepreneurial companies tackling humanity’s biggest threats, including Eat JUST, Inc. which uses cell culture technology to grow meat and an Arizona State University scientist who created a synthetic tree that removes atmospheric carbon at one-thousand times the rate of a natural tree, and Catalina Sea Ranch’s aquaculture facility which cleans the ocean while producing sustainable superfoods.

“Human innovation can solve our most pressing social and environmental issues — but only if we let it,” said Patrick Reasonover, a co-producer of the film. “Our film asks a simple question: Why are innovators with real, practical solutions to global crises blocked from bringing them to market by well-intentioned, but outdated, government rules?”

The film highlights four companies working to solve the biggest threats facing humanity:

Hunger. The world lacks the acreage to feed 9 billion people by 2050. San Francisco-based Eat JUST, Inc. is using cell culture technology to grow real meat — without hurting animals, wasting resources, or increasing emissions.

The organ transplant shortage. More than 122,000 patients are currently awaiting an organ transplant. Ten years ago, Wake Forest’s Dr. Anthony Atala placed artificial bladders, lab-grown from patients’ own cells, in children. These 3D-printed organs could revolutionize organ transplants. No waiting list. No donor. No fear of the body rejecting an organ.

Ocean sustainability. Our oceans are suffering. Open-ocean “aquaculture” facilities like California’s Catalina Sea Ranch actually clean the ocean while producing sustainable superfoods.

Climate change. Air pollution and climate change are wreaking havoc on our environment. Arizona State University scientist Klaus Lackner created a synthetic tree that removes atmospheric carbon at one-thousand times the rate of a natural tree.

“Our featured innovators are finding viable solutions to the globe’s problems, yet their products haven’t been widely adopted. We’re asking why that is,” said Andrea Fuller, a co-producer of the film. “These awe-inspiring technologies could revolutionize our lives. We’re optimistic that this film can spur necessary conversations in the United States as to how we achieve the dual goals of keeping people safe and accelerating these innovations.”