Legislature claims victory in meat culture wars

As the menace of lab-grown meat looms on the horizon, the Legislature has rushed to blunt its potential ascent with a bill introducing strict labeling requirements. That'll show 'em!

News flash: Many people I have talked to are thrilled about the prospect, being sick of the excesses of industrial agriculture. So label away. They will thank you.

I note that the term "lab-grown meat substitute" routinely appears, when in fact the product is, genetically speaking, "meat." How about some truth in labeling here?

As to its "emerging technology" status, all such products require FDA approval. So much for jeopardizing our children, as the protectionist provisions in this bill would imply.

And as for its petri dish origins: I believe such lab equipment supplies the birthplace for the IVF embryos whose eternal preservation is of such concern. I don't hear them referenced as "people substitutes."

One senator's lament seems to be that "real … lamb[s], goats, chickens" will no longer have the opportunity to frolic in the meadow. There’s very limited time for lambs being lambs and all.

So: Petri dishes, sanitary production facilities, and cleaner water, or captive bolt guns, CAFOs, fecal soup and child labor. Up to you.

Cindy Thompson-Adhikari

Cedar Rapids