(Radio Iowa) – A bill to make it a crime to administer M-R-N-A vaccines in Iowa — like the Moderna and Pfizer COVID shots — has cleared initial review in the Iowa Senate. However, the bill’s sponsor plans to adjust the legislation and instead give Iowans a route to sue M-R-N-A vaccine manufacturers. Dr. Peter McCullough, a Texas cardiologist who was fired over his views on the COVID-19 vaccines, testified during a Senate subcommittee meeting.

“Probably millions of Americans regret taking a COVID-19 vaccine,” he said, “…so we’re at a point where city by city, state by state, there are deliberations like this one about pulling the COVID-19 vaccines off the market.” Iowa medical groups and the association that represents Iowa pharmacists opposes the bill. Dr. Jonathan Crosbie, who practices family medicine in Des Moines, says COVID vaccines have saved lives.

“Aside from being a practicing physician, I also teach at Des Moines University,” Crosbie said. “Our students want no part of practicing here with bills like this on the table. You are chasing them off.” A woman who told lawmakers her name was Kim testified in favor of the bill. “There’s due diligence that needs to be done to study this gene-based treatment before more of it is unleashed on the public,” she said. “This bill would provide that line of defense to protect Iowans.”

Jessica Highland, executive director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association, says there are Iowa companies doing research on M-R-N-A vaccines for both humans and animals. “We would just urge you not to be the first state in the country to pass legislation like this,” she said. “We think this still needs to be an option for patients and for the future.”

Researchers leading clinical trials say a M-R-N-A gene-based vaccine shows promise in treating pancreatic cancer and a gene-based vaccine is under development for bird flu. The bill that would essentially ban M-R-N-A vaccines in Iowa is eligible for a vote in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.