From: violindan@bigfoot.com
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 5:31 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Oppose FDA's New Regulations on Genetically Engineered Food

Dan Gordon

St. Petersburg, FL  33701

violindan@bigfoot.com


RE: Docket No. 00N-1396, and 00D-1598

Dear FDA,
 
I am upset by your new policies on genetically engineered (GE) foods. Despite overwhelming consumer demand, your agency still fails to require safety testing and mandatory labeling for GE foods. Your "notification" policy is an insult to consumers and irresponsibly ignores strong scientific evidence of numerous potential health and environmental risks to GE foods. You should be aware that these foods could be toxic, could cause allergic responses, could have lower nutrition value, could compromise immune responses in consumers, and could cause irreparable damage to the environment. 

I also oppose your new "voluntary labeling" policy, which denies consumers a basic right to know. Without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor health professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction was the result of a genetically engineered food. Consumers will also be deprived of the critical knowledge they need to hold food producers liable should any of these novel foods prove hazardous.

Your proposed rules ignore serious concerns and appear to be a decision made to convenience industry at the expense of public health and the environment. Although genetically engineered foods may be safe, there remains an unknown risk that we must not ignore. Mandatory labeling does not restrict these foods' manufacture and sale; it simply allows the consumer to make informed decisions.

Thank you for your concern.

Sincerely,



Dan Gordon