From: OC EXECSEC
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 3:35 PM
To: Dockets, FDA
Subject: FW: Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered
Fish--Docket# 01P-0230



> ----------
> From: 	Richard Jack[SMTP:RJACK321@YAHOO.COM]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, June 13, 2001 3:35:13 PM
> To: 	FDA Commissioner
> Subject: 	Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered Fish--Docket# 01P-0230
> Auto forwarded by a Rule
> 
> 
FDA Commissioner ,

I am contacting you to express my concern about the possible commercialization of genetically engineered (GE) fish.  I urge  the FDA not to approve the current application by A/F Protein to sell GE Salmon.

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 current state of many wild salmon stocks, both in the Atlantic and the Pacific is too precarious to justify additional competitive impacts through GE fish.  

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.  Restoration of wild salmonid resources would enhance the economic livelyhood of US communities and the marine ecosystem far more than the introduction of an additional competitor, both to fishermen and wild salmonids.


Richard Jack
13052 7th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98177
rjack321@yahoo.com