Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Technology's Role in Moral Progress
Technology can help us be better people by reducing harm to animals.
For example, appliances like washers and dryers helped women enter the workforce, making society more equal.
Now, new technologies are being developed to replace animal testing in labs and to create meat alternatives.
Companies like Javelin Biotech are working on silicon chips with human cells to test drugs instead of using animals.
However, replacing meat is harder because people enjoy it and alternatives are often more expensive.
Despite these challenges, the future looks promising as more companies invest in these technologies.
This shows that technology can help us make moral progress if we choose to use it that way.
Technological advancements, such as appliances, have enabled societal progress like the feminist revolution.
Technology can expand our moral universe by reducing animal exploitation in testing and food production.
Javelin Biotech is developing silicon chips with human cells to replace animal testing in drug development.
Alternative meat companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat face challenges in mass market uptake due to price and perception.
The FDA mandates animal testing for new drug candidates, making pharmaceutical companies reluctant to adopt new testing technologies.
- Who
- Technological advancements and companies like Javelin Biotech and Impossible Foods.
- What
- The potential of technology to expand our moral universe by reducing animal exploitation.
- When
- The impact of technology on feminism was examined in the classic economics paper “Engines of Liberation.”
- Where
- Globally, with specific focus on the United States and the pharmaceutical industry.
- Why
- To explore how technology can help us lead more moral lives by reducing animal suffering and environmental impact.
- Technological Impact on Feminism
- Appliances like washers and dryers reduced household labor, enabling women to enter the workforce.
- Animal Testing
- Javelin Biotech aims to replace animal testing with silicon chips containing human cells.
- Meat Consumption
- Animal agriculture accounts for 11-20% of greenhouse emissions.
- Alternative Meat Companies
- Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat have struggled with mass market uptake due to price and perception issues.
- Investment in Cultivated Meat
- Companies making cultivated meat have raised over $3.1 billion since 2013.
- FDA Regulation
- The FDA mandates animal testing for new drug candidates to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
- Javelin Biotech's Goal
- To commoditize technology and completely replace animal testing.