From: Frances Burmeister [fburmeister@AIMMIDWEST.com]
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 1:21 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

I am writing with respect to the proposed rules regarding labeling and testing of Genetically Engineered foods.  The proposed rules are completely inadequate -- they do little or nothing to protect and inform consumers leaving completely helpless to control our (and the environment's) exposure to a completely unproven technology.

It would be one thing if GE foods were a cure for AIDs or severe forms of otherwise untreatable cancer and their effects could be limited to those treated by them.  This is not the case.  In order to enhance the profits of agribusiness the government of, by, and for the people seems to believe that:

    a.. consumers do not have the right to know what they are eating and that 
    b.. a technology which effects the deepest and most complex aspect of life (the DNA) and which effects the whole environment and the whole population does not require testing.
A few words to remember:  "formula is better than mother's milk", "thalidomide", "DDT", "PCB's", etc. etc. etc.  All believed to be true and safe, all proved to be the opposite.  And none of these have the incredibly far reaching effects of GE foods.

I feel very strongly that:

    a.. The FDA must require mandatory pre-market comprehensive environmental review. Unlike conventional pollutants, where a given amount of pollutant causes a limited amount of damage, a small number of mutant genes could have a population explosion and reproduce forever, causing unlimited and irreparable damage. 
    b.. The FDA must require pre-market long-term health testing. GE products could be toxic, cause allergic responses, have lower nutritional value, and compromise immune responses in consumers. Further, GE products are contrary to the religious and ethical principals of many many people and their right to choose to avoid these products should be respected. 
    c.. The FDA must require mandatory labeling of GE products. Without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor health professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction was the result of a genetically engineered food. Consumers would be deprived of the critical knowledge needed to hold food producers liable should any of these novel products be hazardous. 
    d.. The FDA must end its cozy relationship with the industries it purports to be regulating. People have been allowed to work for a biotech company, then work for the FDA writing the regulatory rules on that company's product, then go back to working for the company. Ninety-two percent of FDA advisory committee meetings had at least one conflict of interest.
This is not an issue that should just "slide" through with consideration given only to agribusiness interests.  The people have a right to SAFE food, to know what they are eating, and to have their interests come before that of the bottom line. 

Sincerely, 
 
Frances A. Burmeister
1120 East Madison
Fairfifeld, Iowa 52556