From: seb8165@hotmail.com
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 5:39 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov; execsec@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Petition for testing and mandatory labeling for genetically
engineered foods



RE:	Docket No. 00P-1211/CP1


Dear Commissioner Henney,

A few years back, I recall new food 
labelling requirements being instigated so that consumers 
supposedly could be better informed as to what we buy and 
eat.  Now, here we are with loads of GMOs in our food 
supply and we don't even know about them because you have 
failed your responsibilities and not demanded labelling, 
testing, etc.

I don't recall signing up for any scientific eating  
experiments.  I know I didn't sign up my family either.  
And yet, here we sit, having consumed unwittingly, noxious 
geneticallly modified foods, without our knowledge or 
consent.  This is not okay.

I would bet it is not okay with a lot of Americans.  
However, you have not seen fit to give us that choice.  We 
deserve at least labelling to tell us what we are 
purchasing and consuming.  Better yet, pull the GMOs off 
the market and get complete third party testing.  Best:  
let's support the family farm, preferrably organic and 
sustainable and cut out this other 
nonsense altogether!  A dead planet serves no one.

On March 21, 2000, Greenpeace and a 
coalition of over 50 family farm, consumer
and environmental groups joined the Center 
for Food Safety in a petition to the FDA 
demanding the development of a thorough 
pre-market and environmental testing 
regime for genetically engineered foods 
and mandatory labeling of such foods.  I 
am writing for submission to the official 
rulemaking docket (#00P-1211/CP1) in 
support of that action.

As a concerned citizen, I urge the FDA to 
require the labeling and pre-market safety 
testing of genetically engineered foods.  
We have an absolute right to know what is 
in the food that we are purchasing , as 
well as how it was produced. Scientists 
and doctors have warned that these crops 
may have unexpected side-effects in the
diet and the environment, and there is no 
evidence that these foods are safe in the
long-run.

Please take action to ensure that our 
health and environment are not put at
risk.


Sincerely,


Shari Belanger 
180-I Elm St., #226
Pittsfield  MA 01201
seb8165@hotmail.com