From: melinda mccomb [melmcc@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2001 2:21 PM To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: RE: Dockets 00N-1396 & 00D-1598 RE: DOCKETS 00N-1396 AND 00D-1598 February 10, 2001 Dear Commissioner, Please permit me to express my concerns regarding the lack of mandatory testing and labeling of Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods that are currently being marketed. My concerns relate both to the health, safety and rights of American consumers to know what is in their food, and the untested safety aspects of GE to consumers unknowingly using them and to the health and safety of the environment where these crops have the potential to cause damage to other crops and the wildlife in the growing area. Despite the fact that the Biotechnology Consultative Forum recommended that the FDA require mandatory labeling of GE foods, and consumers have made it known that they would like this information (how many consumers wrote and asked that vitamin and calorie information be required on labels, and why is vitamin & calorie information more important than knowing if the food is genetically altered?), the FDA has failed to protect the interests of the American public, the FDA’s reason for being, and instead supported the interests of biotech corporations in search of profits. I personally have developed an allergy to soy products that have not been organically grown- I suffer from extreme indigestion when I unknowingly eat GE soy products, and I feel strongly that just as people with other allergies (to peanuts, MSG, etc.) have the right to be forewarned, I too should be able to avoid such foods in the interest of my health. This is to say nothing of the complete lack of required testing- why is the FDA permitting the public to be used as guinea pigs for GE foods? I strongly urge you to require mandatory testing a labeling of GE foods both to uphold the FDA’s charge to protect the public, and at a minimum allow the public a choice, by requiring disclosure. Thank you for you time in consideration of my comments. Sincerely, Melinda C. McComb, PO Box 1105, Trinidad, CA 95570 melmcc@hotmail.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com