From: Center for Food Safety [action@foodsafetynow.org]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2001 12:15 AM
To: FDA Commissioner
Cc: president@whitehouse.gov; vice.president@whitehouse.gov;
fdadockets@oc.fda.gov; fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Oppose the New FDA Regulations on GE Foods!

Docket No. 00N-1396 & Docket No. 00D-1598
FDA Commissioner, Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

Dear Ms. Henney,

Genetic engineering involves manipulations of genes between different 
 species and allows scientists to bypass the natural barriers which 
protect the genetic integrity of species. Foods containing or produced 
from genetic
engineering can cause allergic responses, be toxic, have lowered 
nutritional value and/or compromise immune responses in consumers.

Likewise, genetically engineered crops can have unpredictable, 
irreversible changes to the environment.

The FDA's proposal for companies to voluntary consult with FDA concerning 
the safety of their foods is totally inadequate.  The FDA must require 
mandatory pre-market safety testing.

The FDA's proposed rule that environmental review procedures be exempt 
under the National Environmental Policy Act does not protect the 
environment. The FDA must require mandatory pre-market environmental 
review.

The FDA's proposed rule makes all labeling of genetically engineered foods 
(GEFs) only voluntary.  This does not protect my right-to-know or allow me 
consumer choice to protect my family and the environment. Voluntary
labeling unfairly reverses the financial burden onto producers who do not 
use GEFs. Mandatory labeling is essential for the traceability of GEF 
products throughout the food supply for health professionals. Mandatory
labeling also protects overseas markets for farmers. FDA must require 
mandatory labeling of GEFs.

The FDA's proposed rule is unlikely to provide the public with adequate 
information on GEFs for independent review.
The FDA notes that producers of GEFs may claim that any such
information, including the premarket notification,
is trade secret or confidential business information subject to exemption 
from public disclosure requirements. The FDA must require full disclosure.

All GEFs should be taken off supermarket shelves until mandatory safety 
testing and labeling of all GEFs, pre-market environmental review, and 
full disclosure are established.

Sincerely,
Sheri Goodwin




Sheri Goodwin
303 E. Skyview Rd.
Austin, TX, 78752

CC: 
The President
Vice President Dick Cheney
FDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00N-1396]
Senator Phil Gramm
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Representative Lloyd DoggettFDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00D-1598]


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