Labels or not, cultured meat is meat

"This is a preventive measure against an activist federal government who wants to see our children eat from a petri dish," declared state Sen. Dawn Driscoll in reference to a bill that would slap punitive labeling requirements on the evildoers who would traffic in cultured meat. (Plates and utensils available upon request.)

Sinister "petri dish" warnings are popping up everywhere, as if somehow orchestrated, along with laments that "hardworking farmers" are victims of what might be termed "competition." It really looks as if, not only do these politicians let questionable external entities dictate their mean-spirited little bills, they regurgitate their canned talking points as well. Leadership! (I'll bet the companies in question have hardworking employees, too, who manage to fulfill their duties without contaminating the state of Iowa — and beyond.)

To be clear: Cultured meat is not in the same category as plant-based alternatives, yummy as they may be. It belongs, taxonomically speaking, in the meat category. Tissue is tissue, though of course its origins should be disclosed. And, as with any forbidden-type fruit, if people want it, they will find a way to get it.

Abject desperation: Never a good look. Perhaps its lingering stench will repel voters in November.

Cindy Thompson-Adhikari

Cedar Rapids