From: Erik Loomis [erikloomis@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 8:46 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: re: dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598.

Dear Commissioner Henney,

I am writing to let you know that I am extremely
disappointed that the FDA continues to ignore the
safety concerns of consumers and chooses instead to
help the companies developing biotech products. 
Please change the policy on genetically engineered
food to one that protects the rights of the consumer.

The proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
regulations fail to require labels or safety tests on
genetically engineered (GE) food. The new rules
continue to deny Americans the right to know what is
in our food and protects the economic interests of
biotech corporations while exposing the unknowing
consumer to a  product which many believe is
potentially dangerous.

Regardless of the safety of such products consumers
have a right to know what is in their food.  The
notion that GE foods are substantially equivalent to
non-genetically engineered foods is hard to swallow. 
The long term health effect of GE foods remains to be
seen. Labeling GE foods would protect the public from
potential health effects that could only be
avoided if GE foods are identified. By refusing to
require both labeling and mandatory safety testing of
foods, the FDA puts consumer's health at risk and
ignores the recommendations of the Biotechnology
Consultative Forum, who in December urged the US to
require mandatory labeling of GE foods.

Many Americans find it disturbing that the debate over
GE foods has not been brought before the public as it
has been in various countries throughout Europe.  We
want to know what scientific tests have been
undertaken to allow the FDA to determine that GE foods
are safe.

I urge you to reconsider this proposal and insure that
GE foods are subject to adequate pre-market testing
and labeling.  Americans have a right to make informed
decisions about the food we consume.

Sincerely,

Erik Loomis.

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