From: Ralph [ralph@homecoop.net]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2001 10:21 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

Dear Public Servants,
     I am a person of faith and believe that certain cross-family genetic
manipulations are an abomination.  Those who believe as I do MUST know what we
eat.  We cannot tolerate a vegetable product that may have genetic material from
certain animal species.    PLEASE require that food products containing
genetically modified organisms are labeled as such.   No fancy label is
required, just a statement "This product contains genetically modified
material."
   The companies marketing such products now depend on the ignorance of the
consumers.  By requiring a label, the same companies will rush to advertise the
advantages of their products, and the explain what they have.  The ones that
contain abominations will have a harder time marketing their products, as it
should be.   By require a label, the policy of deliberate ignorance will change
to one of competitive "educational" ads as companies try to explain themselves.
  But we have to know.  You are trampling on religious beliefs by allowing
abominations to go by the same name as the "natural' or God-created (even with
man's help in cross-pollinating) food products.
   I hear that those with money want you to restrict the freedom of makers of
wholesome food to tell us that they don't contain GMO material.   This is an
outrage, and can only be the plan of someone trying to keep the citizens of
America ignorant of what they are eating.   Ignorance may be good for some
businesses, but it's a threat to democracy.
Thank  you,
God bless America,
Ralph S. Grimes
Stockton Springs, Maine