From: Psmith1coe@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 5:14 PM
To: EXECSEC
Cc: Psmith1coe@aol.com
Subject: STUDY EXTENT OF FARMERS USE OF ANTIBOTICS AND LONG TERM COST TO
HUMANS

Jane E. Henney, M.D.
Commissioner
U. S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville MD 20857-0001


Dear Dr. Henney:

       I believe it is time for the Federal Goverment to begin a thorough 
study of the extent to which famers of all kinds of using antibiotics of all 
kinds within their work, with a special emphasis upon the long-term costs to 
humans due to the development of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms.  
Maintaining our continued relative ignorance about the extent of their use, 
and about the threats to us due to their possible overuse,  is not a good 
public policy.

                Paul A. Smith
                1024 Maplewood Dr. N.E.
                Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
                (319) 366-0826
                psmith1coe@aol.com