Vaccines May Be Intentionally Injected Into Lettuce and Tomatoes, Republican Representative Suggests

During a recent legislative session, Tennessee State Representative Scott Cepicky, a Republican, raised concerns in a House Health Committee hearing about the possibility of vaccines being intentionally added to common foods like lettuce, tomatoes, and tobacco.

Vaccine in Your Veggies?

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Citing research, he mentioned that the University of California, Riverside, has “perfected” vaccinating lettuce. He also referenced similar experiments conducted on tomatoes by the University of California, Berkeley, and by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company on tobacco products, remarks that were met with disapproval from the Democratic chairman, John Ray Clemmons.

Legality and Ethics

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In a discussion about the potential of plants being used as vaccine mediums, Cepicky told Clemmons, “I’m not arguing that point,” when asked about the legality.

Legislative Challenges of Edible Vaccines

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He emphasized the need for legislation to identify if vaccines are present in grocery store produce, suggesting such plants be treated as pharmaceuticals for dosage accuracy.

The COVID Connection

In September 2021, UC Riverside researchers explored the possibility of using edible plants like lettuce as mRNA “vaccine factories,” a method akin to the mRNA technology in COVID-19 vaccines.

Growing Your Own Vaccine

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Funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the study aimed to verify the effective delivery and replication of mRNA vaccine DNA in plant cells, compare its efficacy to traditional shots, and determine the correct dosage, with collaboration from UC San Diego and Carnegie Mellon University scientists.

The Vision

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Juan Pablo Giraldo, an associate professor at UC Riverside and the lead researcher of the project, shared an ambitious vision: “Ideally, a single plant would produce enough mRNA to vaccinate a single person. We are testing this approach with spinach and lettuce and have long-term goals of people growing it in their own gardens. Farmers could also eventually grow entire fields of it.”

Chloroplasts in Vaccine Development

Juan Pablo Giraldo further elaborated on his visionary project, emphasizing the critical role of chloroplasts – the minuscule structures within plant cells that transform sunlight into usable energy.

Untapped Potential

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“They’re tiny, solar-powered factories that produce sugar and other molecules that allow the plant to grow,” Giraldo explained. He highlighted their potential, stating, “They’re also an untapped source for making desirable molecules.”

Still a Dream?

A university spokesperson clarified to Newsweek that the production of mRNA vaccines in plants is still in the experimental phase and has not yet been realized at a lab or commercial level.

The feasibility of this technology remains under evaluation.

Vaccinated Lettuce in Tennessee Stores

In a follow-up query, Clemmons asked Cepicky about the availability of such ‘vaccinated’ lettuce in Tennessee grocery stores, humorously pondering if this could lead to pharmacies like Walgreens featuring a refrigerated section for these products.

Vaccine-Infused Tomatoes

During the discussion, Clemmons sought clarity on the practical implications, asking, “I mean, how’s this going to play out?” Cepicky replied, emphasizing the bill’s focus on consumer protection. He illustrated this with an example where a person buying tomatoes should know if they contain a polio vaccine.

Dosage Control in Edible Vaccines

Cepicky raised concerns about dosage control, pointing out the challenges of determining the correct amount of such tomatoes to consume, given the varying body sizes and potential risks of overdose or underdose.

He likened this to past issues in cattle farming with Aureomycin, where improper dosing led to horn flies developing immunity.

The Risks of Improper Dosages

Cepicky then warned, If we don’t have the proper dosage of the vaccine, it could lead to the efficacy of that drug not working anymore.”

Plant-Based Vaccines

R.J. Reynolds, a company with nearly 150 years of history, ventured into this area of research at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tobacco’s Vaccine Role

In an interview with NPR in October 2020, James Figlar, the executive vice president for research and development, revealed that their subsidiary, Kentucky BioProcessing, was among two entities using tobacco plants in efforts to produce a crucial protein from the coronavirus for vaccine development.

Human Trials

Other tobacco companies like Medicago, a Canadian biotech firm, were also conducting similar research. Medicago was at the forefront, having started human trials with its plant-based virus-like particles, integral to its widely distributed COVID-19 vaccine in Canada.