Tongue splitting, a new craze in body modification, has drawn controversy over its riskiness.

Illinois State Rep. David Miller is currently pushing a bill that will protect people from the consequences of unlicensed procedures such as tongue splitting.

In this procedure, the tip of the tongue is cut with a scalpel into two halves in a lizard-like fashion, according to Xtreme Body Mod magazine.

Miller’s bill would require dental and physician certification to perform the procedure for medical reasons only.

The Illinois Senate amended the bill, allowing certified tattoo and piercing artists to also perform the procedure.

Herman Quirmbach, Iowa State Senator, said he has heard of the Illinois bill, but has not heard of Iowa proposing a similar law.

“Its not on my radar screen,” said Sen. Quirmbach. “[I am] not aware of any [Iowan] Legislature attention [on tongue splitting].”

Artists at The Asylum, 111 Welch Ave., and Lasting Impressions Tattoo Studio, 114 Welch Ave, both said they would not perform the procedure if asked.

“[I don’t perform tongue splitting because of] the liability and I don’t have the proper equipment,” said Lou Smith, 41, an artist at Lasting Impressions.

Brent Hannapel, 20, an artist at The Asylum, said they haven’t gotten any requests for tongue splitting.

“We just never have [performed a tongue splitting],” Hannapel said. “Not many people are asking for it.”

Each year, the procedure has become more popular, Miller said.

Miller, a dentist, would like the bill to warn people of the consequences of non-certified tongue splitting and encourage other states to consider taking action.

The rise in popularity shows a need for more protection, Miller said.

Last year, 500 people split their tongues, and this year 2,000 people have, he said.

The risks of tongue splitting include infection, suffocation, uncontrollable bleeding, paralysis from nerve cutting and lisps, he said.

David Marsh, staff liaison of the Illinois State Dental Association, said the procedure would force someone to re-learn how to speak. In some cases, it could also be fatal.

The possibility that someone could decide they don’t want it anymore and be unable to undo the splitting also exists, Marsh said.

The senate decided to open up certification to allow people to keep their freedom of expression, Marsh said.

If the procedure is performed by an uncertified person, the first offense results in a class A misdemeanor and a class four felony for two or more offenses, according to the new bill.

Adrienne McKee, sophomore in advertising, said although she has many piercings and a tattoo, she would never split her tongue. She said she wondered why people would split their tongue and how it would affect their eating and speaking.

“[I think it is] gross and really scary,” McKee said.

Chris Seagle, junior in physics, said he felt self-expression is a right, and tongue splitting is a personal choice.

“Body modification affects how people view you, but it’s a personal choice on whether you let it effect you,” Seagle said.

Katie Greiman, ISU alumna, said people should be cautious of who performs the procedure and also opposes the Illinois bill.

“People should be able to express themselves how they want; it’s their choice,” Greiman said.