VIEWPOINT | Gov. Rhoden’s veto defended markets, not meat alternatives
Guest column by state Sen. Liz Larson
Gov. Larry Rhoden made the right call when he vetoed legislation that would have banned the sale of cell-cultured meat in South Dakota — not because anyone is asking for it, but because the government should not preemptively outlaw lawful products out of fear or discomfort.
The bill sought to ban cell-cultured meat (or “lab-grown meat”), a product that is not currently sold in South Dakota, is only sparsely available nationwide, and has already received FDA approval. The Legislature voted to prohibit a hypothetical market before it exists, based largely on speculation and distrust rather than evidence. Democrats overwhelmingly opposed the measure, while it passed both chambers amid rhetoric that framed the new innovation as a threat rather than a choice.
