From: Karl Sanchez [karlof1@silcon.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2001 8:01 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Dockets 00N-1396 & 00D-1598

Dear Sirs:
 
We wish to comment that the proposed regulations regarding genetically modified foods and organisms make a mockery of the word reguation. Not only Must foods with genetically modified ingredients be labeled as such, but Any genetically modified organism Must be monitored on an experimental basis to ensure it does absolutuely no harm to the environment and to humans. As has been our experience with the chemical industry, not only can industry Not be trusted to regulate itself or share its findings with the public or conduct research in an unbiased manner, people Must be placed Before profits. We value our lives as Priceless along with the lives of our families and everyone else we love. We're sure that every other sane individual on the planet feels the same way. Therefore, No cost is too high to ensure that No harm comes from the introduction of Anything into our ecosystem. We have already inflicted a high degree of damage onto the planet and ourselves by allowing anything perceived as beneficial to be produced without first determining whether a particular product or technology is indeed safe and beneficial. This Must Stop!  The Precautionary Principle Must be adopted when it comes to the further introduction of All genetically modified organisms; those that have already been introduced Must undergo long-term testing to see if indeed their effects on the ecosystem are as benign as their producers say they are; and All products made with genetically modified organisms that are currently being marketed Must be labeled so consumers can protect themselves and have the choice they are entitled to. Polls show that the Majority of Americans Want foods containing genetically modified organisms to be labeled; our trade partners Demand that this be so; and they have even determined that some products' importation is to be banned. The rest of the world agrees with the logic of the precautionary principle, especially in view of the mounting evidence of environmental problems and the methods by which business has consistently put profit over people. We feel that it is high time that our government and its regulatory agencies do so as well. In doing so they can fulfill the mandate within the Constitution's Preamble to "promote the general Welfare;" wherein welfare is capitalized in the original for a reason. 
 
Sincerely,
The 75 members of the extended Sanchez, Gear, Gilbert, Porter, and Roberts families, and the undetermined numbers of their progeny whom we represent.