From: OC EXECSEC
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 10:08 AM
To: Dockets, FDA
Subject: FW: Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered
Fish--Docket# 01P-0230



-----Original Message-----
From: Lise Smith [mailto:smithpeters@prodigy.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 8:06 AM
To: Commissioner
Subject: Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered
Fish--Docket# 01P-0230



Commissioner ,

I am writing to let you know that I am extremely against the possible 
commercialization of genetically engineered fish.  I urge  the 
FDA not to approve the current application by A/F Protein to sell GE 
Salmon.  If one of those fish gets out of the pen, the whole species of real 
salmon can be harmed.  We should not be 
playing god in creating ge animals or food.

Genetically engineered fish have the potential to be invasive species that
could cause irreversible ecological damage to wild fish stocks as well as
the wider marine environment. 

Sterility of genetically engineered fish is inherently uncertain given the
possibility for human error and natural variation. Even if sterility were
ever achievable, sterile genetically engineered fish would still compete
with wild fish for food, habitat and will effect the overall marine
ecology.

The history of fish farming clearly demonstrates that once released into
ocean ponds, fish will escape and, since fish do not obey national 
boundaries, any release of genetically engineered fish will be 
international by its very nature. The release of GE fish is an
international  concern in which we all have a stake and on which 
every government  and their citizens should have an opportunity to say no.

I urge the FDA not to approve the current application by A/F Protein for
GE Salmon because GE fish pose an unnecessary and unacceptable risk to the 
marine environment and potentially to human health.



Lise  Smith
1406 Fern Ave.
McAllen, TX 78501
USA
smithpeters@prodigy.net