Overview
Title
To prohibit the use of Federal funds to support cell-cultured meat, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 1116 is a rule that wants to stop the government from spending money on making lab-grown meat except when it's for astronauts to eat in space.
Summary AI
H. R. 1116 aims to stop the use of federal funds to support cell-cultured meat, which is meat made from animal cells in a lab. This restriction covers funding for research, production, promotion, and other support activities related to cell-cultured meat. However, the bill includes an exception for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), allowing federal funds to be used for cell-cultured meat if it is intended for consumption in space. The bill defines "cell-cultured meat" as lab-produced meat sourced from animal cells.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "Right to Eat Authentic and Legitimate Meat Act of 2025" or the "REAL Meat Act of 2025," seeks to prohibit the use of federal funds to support any activities related to cell-cultured meat. This includes the funding of research, production, advancement, and advertising of such meat products. The bill defines cell-cultured meat as meat created from the cells of animals and produced in laboratories. Notably, there is an exemption for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) allowing federal funds to be used for cell-cultured meat intended for off-planet consumption.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill has raised several concerns and issues. Firstly, the broad prohibition on federal funding for cell-cultured meat could stifle innovation and research in sustainable food technologies. This may prevent advancements in alternative protein sources, which could be crucial for future food security and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the bill exempts NASA, allowing the agency to use federal funds for cell-cultured meat meant for off-world purposes. This raises questions about why NASA receives preferential treatment and how compliance with this restriction will be monitored.
The bill's title, using terms like "authentic" and "legitimate," introduces subjectivity and potential ambiguity, as definitions of these terms can vary widely. Furthermore, the bill does not provide a clear rationale for its strict prohibition, potentially leading to public and political debate regarding its intentions. Lastly, there is concern that the legislation could favor traditional meat industries by restricting federal support for their emerging competitors.
Impact on the Public
The legislation may have broad implications for the public, particularly in areas related to food innovation and environmental sustainability. By limiting federal support for cell-cultured meat, the bill could hinder the development of potentially more sustainable and environmentally-friendly protein sources. This might affect consumers looking for alternatives to conventionally produced meat, whether due to health, ethical, or environmental reasons.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The bill could significantly impact several distinct stakeholders:
Traditional Meat Industry: These entities might benefit from the restrictions, as their primary competition from cell-cultured meats could be stifled due to a lack of federal support. This could allow them to maintain market dominance without pressure from innovation in alternative proteins.
Cell-Cultured Meat Producers: Companies involved in the production and development of cell-cultured meats would likely face setbacks, as reduced federal funding could limit research opportunities and slow the pace of innovation in the field.
Researchers and Innovators: Scientists and researchers focusing on food technology and sustainability may find fewer opportunities and resources to explore novel solutions in alternative proteins, potentially impacting their work and technological advancements.
NASA and Space Exploration: The exemption granted to NASA reflects a unique interest in developing sustainable food systems for space exploration. This could lead to innovations applicable both off and on Earth but remains limited by the bill's scope to off-planet consumption.
Overall, while the bill seeks to protect traditional meat markets, it raises questions about the future of food technology innovation and its implications for sustainability and consumer choice in the 21st century.
Issues
The broad prohibition on using Federal funds to support cell-cultured meat in Section 2 might stifle innovation and research in the field of sustainable food production, potentially hindering progress and competitive advantage in alternative protein sources.
The exemption for NASA regarding cell-cultured meat intended for off-planet consumption in Section 2 could be seen as preferential treatment and raises concerns about ensuring compliance and restricted use strictly for off-planet purposes.
The definition of 'cell-cultured meat' in Section 2, as meat sourced from animal cells and produced in a laboratory, may require further clarification to ensure it is not overly restrictive or excludes potential safe and innovative products.
The Act's title in Section 1, 'Right to Eat Authentic and Legitimate Meat,' presents subjective terms like 'authentic' and 'legitimate,' which could lead to ambiguity and varying interpretations of what the bill seeks to protect.
The lack of a clear rationale or justification for the prohibition in Section 2 could lead to political and public debate or confusion regarding the policy's intentions and underlying objectives.
The prohibition in Section 2 could be perceived as favoring traditional meat industries by restricting federal support for alternative protein sources, potentially influencing market dynamics and consumer choice.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the short title of the legislation, which may be referred to as the “Right to Eat Authentic and Legitimate Meat Act of 2025” or the “REAL Meat Act of 2025.”
2. No Federal funds supporting cell-cultured meat Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a rule stating that federal funds cannot be used to support any activities related to cell-cultured meat, such as research, production, or advertisement, except for NASA, which can use federal funds for off-planet consumption of such meat. Cell-cultured meat is defined as meat created from animal cells in a laboratory.