From: Jef Murray [jmurra2@emory.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 12:56 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Proposed Biotech Rules

Dear Commissioner Henney,

   This is an outrage. The proposed Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) regulations fail to require
labels or safety tests on genetically engineered
(GE) food. The new rules continue to deny
Americans the right to know what is in our food,
while protecting the economic interests of biotech
corporations.

   I am a trained engineer. I understand the
potential benefits of this technology. But I also
understand and support the Precautionary
Principle, which suggests that, with a new
technology, we proceed with caution until we are
reasonably certain that the technology in question
does not cause unforeseen problems. Your rules for
biotech place all burden of proof for the safety
of biotech on the _public_, which has no way of
even knowing or understanding that it is being
used as a guinea pig. This is completely
unacceptable, untenable, and unethical.

   Labeling GE foods would protect the public from
potential health effects that could only be traced
if GE foods can be identified. By refusing to
require both labeling and mandatory safety testing
of foods, the FDA puts the consumer's health at
risk, and ignores the recommendations of the
Biotechnology Consultative Forum, who in December
urged the US to require _mandatory_ labeling of GE
foods.

   I urge you to reconsider this proposal and
insure that GE foods are subject to pre-market
testing and labeling. Americans have a right to
make informed decisions about the food we consume.

   Sincerely,

Jeffrey P. Murray
220 Chelsea Drive
Decatur, GA 30030