Cultivated meat has been marketed as a groundbreaking innovation, offering solutions to global challenges like sustainability, animal welfare, and food security. However, despite significant investments and policy attention, it faces increasing scrutiny due to unresolved ecological, economic, and technical issues. The hype surrounding the technology has fueled political opposition, with countries like Italy, some states in the USA, and other European countries considering or enacting legislation to limit or ban its commercialization. This presentation explores the polarized discourse on cultivated meat, examining both the hype driving its promotion and the neglect it faces due to concerns about the role of animal agriculture. The talk analyzes the challenges posed by contrasting perspectives, uncertainty, and hype for technology assessment and policy-making.