From: al-w@worldnet.att.net
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 9:46 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: What's in your food? (FDA Dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598)


Dear Corporate and Government Leaders,

Neither government nor industry is protecting Americans from the risks posed to human health and the environment by genetically engineered (GE) foods. The Food and Drug Administration's "new" policy on GE foods (proposed January 18, 2001) continues to let the biotech industry regulate itself; it fails to require the long-term, pre-market safety testing demanded by independent experts. The "voluntary labeling" guidelines are a wholly inadequate response to the overwhelming public support for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. Therefore, I urge you to keep all genetically engineered ingredients and crops off the market unless:

1) Independent safety testing demonstrates they have no harmful effects on human health or the environment, 

2) They are labeled to ensure the consumer's right-to-know, and 

3) The biotechnology corporations that manufacture them are held accountable for any harms they may cause.


The activities of man have caused irreversible damage to the health of the planet, and as a result, human health suffers. The future doesn't look very bright. If we don't return to more natural practices, we could be doomed. Genetic Engineering is about as UN-natural as you can be. You are introducing new forms of life into the environment with no possibility of undoing the harm. You are also subjecting the global population to a food safety experiment without getting anyone's permission. How can you not see that this is wrong?


Sincerely

Alexander Gabis
5606 Chesterfield Dr.
Camp Springs, Maryland 20748