From: Bob Heltman [bobh@ioa.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 4:03 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Cc: Senator John Edwards; Rep Charles H Taylor; Danny & Paulette Stone;
Patti Shumway; Karen Kerrigan SBSC; Eva L. Ritchey; Gary Ray Prichard;
Terry Dorian PhD; Helen & Dan Owen; Bill O'Reilly; Nicole Hastings -
NPI; Elaine TTooter Mueller; Pat & Rhonda Morgan; Chris McElwee; Jeanie
Martin; Lytingale; Robin Lynne; Jack L. Lorenz; "Galen-Kurt-Elaine
Lehman" <Galen-Kurt-Elaine - Lehman's; David Klein; Bob Huskey; Margy
Herrmann; Senator Jesse Helms; Tex & Petra Harrelson; Alice George
Grace; National Gardening; Dr. Jorge Flechas; Johanna Erlenbach; Dianne
Dunn; WHKP Editorial Dept; Bob & Rita Denman; Tom A. Daschle (D - SD);
Dr. Julian Whitaker M. D.; Carolyn G. Conroy Ph. D.; Ronnie Cummins;
"John D Croslin" <John Croslin; Lucy Crawford; Marilyn Scholl - CDS;
Bill Gessner - CDS; Rep Richard Burr; Rusty Breeding; Linda & Bill
Beasley (E-mail); Brent Conner; Christine D. Henry; Emily Anderson COOP;
Kerry Lindsey; Kim Wilde; Laura McCale; Martha Sneed
Subject: Docket No. 00N-1396 & Docket No. 00D-1598

Please clearly label Genetically Engineered food, accomplish safety and
environmental impact testing prior to product release.

Despite overwhelming consumer demand, the FDA has failed to require safety
testing, mandatory labeling and other consumer protections for GE foods.
The Rules:

* Do not require mandatory pre-market safety testing;
* Do not require pre-market environmental review;
* Do not require mandatory labeling of GE foods;
* Limit voluntary non-GE labeling;
* Require a mere letter of notification prior to the marketing of a GE food;
and
* Are unlikely to provide the public with adequate information on GE foods
for independent review.

!       FDA must Require mandatory pre-market safety testing:  GE foods
could be toxic, could cause allergic responses, could have lower nutritional
value, and could compromise immune responses in consumers;
!       FDA must Require mandatory pre-market environmental review: GE crops
and foods could cause irreparable damage to the environment;
!       FDA must Require mandatory labeling of GE foods: Without mandatory
labeling, neither consumers nor health professionals will know if an
allergic or toxic reaction was the result of a genetically engineered food.
Consumers will also be deprived of the critical knowledge they need to hold
food producers liable should any of these novel foods prove hazardous.
!       This FDA Notification policy is an insult to consumers, and
irresponsibly ignores strong scientific evidence of numerous potential
health and environmental risks of GE foods.  These Rules  appear to be a
decision made to convenience the food manufacturing industry at the expense
of public health, consumer information,  and the environment.

Change per the above is respectfully and earnestly requested.  Thank you.

Bob Heltman, PO Box 545, Hendersonville, NC  28793-0545

“Non-cooperation with evil is just as much a moral obligation as cooperation
with good.” - M. L. King