'Clean meat' producer gets investments from Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Cargill

Memphis Meats is a startup developing ways to produce beef, chicken and duck directly from animal cells. In other words, if successful, the process would obviate the need to raise and slaughter livestock, a costly practice that takes a massive toll on the environment. According to a statement on the company's website, the firm has raised $17 million from investors including Cargill, Bill Gates and Richard Branson,.