As an Illinois resident I am gravely concerned about our food supply, I am personally appalled by the growing trend of lab-grown meats. Florida has already banned this. To me, the principals of nature are being bypassed, creating food sources that are divorced from the traditional cycle of life let alone the agendas behind the scenes 

Lab-grown meat, also known as cultured or cell-based meat, is a type of meat that is produced by in vitro cell cultures of animal cells. While it’s promoted as an ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock farming, it raises serious ethical and health concerns.

The full implications of consuming lab-grown meat over a long period are unknown. Studies are ongoing, but the fact remains that consumers should not be a part of an experiment. A study by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health has pointed to potential allergenic reactions and immunogenicity as possible risks associated with lab grown meat.

Moreover, the industrial production of lab-grown meat could further impact small, local farmers and the rural economy of Illinois. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Illinois ranked seventh in the nation in total livestock sales in 2017. Introducing lab-grown meats could destabilize the local farming sector and disrupt the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking individuals.

I am therefore calling on the state of Illinois to ban the production and sale of lab-grown meats. I believe that this step is crucial to protect our traditional food sources, our health, our families and the livelihoods of our local farmers. I humbly ask for your support in this pressing issue. Please sign this petition urging the Illinois legislature to take a stand against lab-grown meats.