From: tasha harmon [tasha@hevanet.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 9:14 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: re: dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598

Dear Commissioner Henney,

I am writing to let you know that I am extremely disappointed that the
FDA continues to ignore the safety concerns of consumers, prioritizing
instead the desire of the companies developing biotech products to make
money.  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.  Please change the policy on genetically engineered food
to one that protects the rights of the consumer.

Many, many unanswered questions remain about the safety of these
products for humans and for the ecosystem that supports us.  Regardless
of the perceived safety of such products consumers have a right to know
what is in their food.  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 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,

Tasha Harmon
802 SE 27th Ave
Portland OR 97214