From: Center for Food Safety [action@foodsafetynow.org] Sent: Friday, January 19, 2001 10:56 AM To: FDA Commissioner Cc: president@whitehouse.gov; vice.president@whitehouse.gov; fdadockets@oc.fda.gov; fdadockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: Oppose the New FDA Regulations on GE Foods! FDA Commissioner Jane Henney Dockets Management Branch (HFA 305) Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fisher's Lane, rm. 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 RE: Docket No. 00N-1396, and 00D-1598 Dear Ms. Henney, I want to discuss your outrageous policies on genetically engineered (GE) foods. I realize it's long-term government policy to experiment on United States citizens, but we're getting wise. I'm just an average American citizen who is sick and tired of being slowly poisoned to death by chemicals in the air I breathe and the water I drink, not to mention the preservatives and poisons that are in almost every food product in the marketplace. Now, with the onset of GE foods, we've reached a new level: an untested, unnatural development in science that the government is forcing us to ingest without our knowledge. I realize that what's good for big business is good for government. And of course government kowtows to the demands of big business. But what about what is good for my health and the health of my family and friends? Or the health of children all across this land? I realize a sick public is a passive public, too self-involved and caught in a self-survival struggle to bother with the actions of government and big business, but longterm, the sicker we get, the more of a strain it is on government and the more it weakens the economy. I'm an editor of a national health and nutrition magazine. I read the latest studies, and lack thereof, on GE foods. It's my job to know what's going on, and it's our job at the magazine to educate our nearly 1 million readers. Let me tell you that the overwhelming majority of our readers are concerned and disgusted with the development of GE foods. More importantly, they are disgusted and sickened by the lack of compassion and concern for the public exhibited by the federal goverment towards its own citizens. Even the EPA covered up the StarLink corn crossover nearly 18 months ago, allowing citizens to ingest this potential toxin! What about the allergic reactions and the ensuing lawsuits, sure to increase? Thank goodness someone like Sen. Durbin had the wherewithal to release this information. A man the public can respect for looking out for our interests. We expect the pharmaceutical industry to not care, but in our hearts we expect our leaders to look after us. You sit in a high place; if only you knew the disappointment and loss of faith so many people feel towards our government. We voted many of you in, believing that you would hold our best interests in mind. What happened? The scientific facts are that GE foods are completely untested long-term, potentially toxic, could (and do) cause allergic responses, most likely have lowered nutrition value, and could compromise immune systems. Just as importantly, these mis-bred genetic organisms are going to cross-pollinate and breed with the flowers, plants, trees and crops that God created. This will cause irreparable damage to the earth and our future food supply. Mother Nature as it existed will cease to exist. Is it your opinion that government knows best? Wasn't it the government who touted the wonder and safety of pesticides several decades ago? At the very least, you owe it to your public to inform them of what they are eating. How dare you not tell us what we are eating? You are taking away our most basic right! It's true that some of the public will never consider what they are ingesting, but more and more of us are. We hear it at the magazine via emails, mail and phone calls every day. I talk to my co-workers, my neighbors, my family, my friends. And if you think we believe for one second that your new "voluntary labeling" policy is going to work, then you are the only one who does. Don't insult our intelligence. Stop making me a guinea pig for the convenience of big business. Look into your heart, look into the rights of human beings, look into the future. There are thousands and thousands who feel just as I do. Sincerely, Susan Weiner 30 Juniper Road Rocky Point, NY, 11778 CC: The President Vice President Dick Cheney FDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00N-1396] Senator Charles Schumer Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Representative Felix J. Grucci, Jr.FDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00D-1598] To the recipient -- this fax/email message has come to you via the Center for Food Safety web site -- a public tool for providing input on food safety issues. The user/site visitor had complete control over editing the content of this message. Thus, the opinions expressed in this message are not necessarily those of CFS or its parent organization, ICTA. Please contact CFS at (202)547-9359 or email office@centerforfoodsafety.org with any questions. Thank you. ___________________________________________________________________________ This letter was composed at www.foodsafetynow.org, a web site maintained by: The Center for Food Safety, 666 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 302 Washington, DC 20003 PH: (202)547-9359 Fax: (202)547-9429 Email: office@centerforfoodsafety.org web: www.centerforfoodsafety.org