Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Biotechnology Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves change to drug definition to cover genetically modified plants producing vaccine-like proteins (meat excluded in amendment)
Summary
Senate Bill 255, amended to exclude meat, was passed by the committee. The measure expands the state definition of "drug" to include food (other than meat) intentionally engineered to produce virus-like proteins or vaccine material, and places such products under Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act regulation.
The committee passed Senate Bill 255 as amended after extended discussion about scope, enforcement and impacts on livestock and food producers.
Sponsor testimony described new technologies in which plants or bacteria are used as "bioreactors" to produce virus-like proteins that could elicit immune responses when consumed. The bill's language would classify such engineered food products as drugs rather than ordinary food, the sponsor said, so they would fall under drug disclosure and regulatory requirements rather than food rules.
Multiple members raised concerns about whether the language would inadvertently classify meat or animals as drugs because animals are vaccinated; a coalition including the Poultry Federation warned that the original draft could be read to include vaccinated meat. The Department of Health testified it was neutral and noted Arkansas typically defers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on product approvals.
To address industry concerns the sponsor offered a verbal/written amendment during the hearing that struck language referencing animals and explicitly added "other than meat" into the food definition. Committee members asked the sponsor to work further with the Department of Agriculture and stakeholders before final floor action. Following the amendment the committee passed the bill.
