In a recent session, the Tennessee Senate passed a bill to classify food containing vaccines or vaccine material as drugs. The bill, designated as HB1894, has now been forwarded to Governor Bill Lee’s desk for further consideration and potential enactment. Here’s the full story.
The Discussion
During the Senate discussion on Thursday, Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, the sponsor of the bill, outlined its purpose. He said that the proposed legislation would require any food containing a vaccine or vaccine material to be categorized as a drug and appropriately labeled under the Tennessee Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Incorporating Vaccines Into Food
Responding to questions from fellow senators, Sen. Hensley accepted that he was not aware of any specific instances of food containing vaccines being offered in Tennessee. However, he pointed to actions in Congress and ongoing research on incorporating vaccines into food as reasons to be prepared.
A Confusing Proposal
Sen. Heidi Campbell wasn’t convinced of the bill’s immediate need. While acknowledging past experiments involving the incorporation of vaccines into vegetables for research purposes, Campbell found it confusing that this would translate into retail offerings.
The Impracticality of the Situation
She explained the impracticality of such a scenario, particularly given the exorbitant cost it would entail. To her, the idea of legislating against a hypothetical situation of this nature seemed unnecessary and convoluted.
Potential Health Risks
The debate further intensified with Sen. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, voiced concerns about the broader implications of vaccine-infused food products. He presented a scenario involving lettuce and raised worries about the potential health risks associated with mRNA vaccines.
Changes in DNA
Niceley’s main concern was with the genetic tinkering involved. He fears the mRNA could mess with our DNA in a way that sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. He was also shocked by the fact that we just don’t know what the long-term effects might be, especially for people who are more vulnerable, like kids and older adults.
More Research Needs to Be Done
Niceley shared that he wants more scientific studies done before we jump into this headfirst. He added that he wants stricter rules and possibly even laws to regulate this new use of mRNA technology in food.
It Was Passed
Following the discussions, the bill underwent a vote in the Senate and was subsequently approved, marking a significant step toward its potential implementation.
Share Your Thoughts
So what do you think? How might this legislation impact food safety standards, consumer choices, and public health initiatives in the state?
