From: Richard Burmeister [rishib@lisco.com]
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 11:30 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

Dear Sir or Madam,

The FDA absolutely must:

1) Require mandatory pre-market comprehensive environmental review of GE
products.  Unlike conventional pollutants, where a given amount of pollutant
causes a limited amount of damage, a small number of mutant genes could have
a population explosion and reproduce forever, causing unlimited and
irreparable damage.

2) Require mandatory pre-market long-term health testing of GE products.  GE
products could be toxic, cause allergic responses, have lower nutritional
value, and compromise immune responses in consumers.

3) Require mandatory labeling of GE products. 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 would
be deprived of the critical knowledge needed to hold food producers liable
should any of these novel products be hazardous.

4) End its cozy relationship with the industries it purports to be
regulating.  People have been allowed to work for a biotech company, then
work for the FDA writing the regulatory rules on that company's product,
then go back to working for the company.  Ninety-two percent of FDA advisory
committee meetings had at least one conflict of interest.

To do anything less would be a complete abrogation of your responsibilities.
In fact, it would be criminally negligent.  The FDA's current reckless and
dangerous disregard for the safety of the people of the United States of
America must stop.  Wake up now before any serious damage is done.

Sincerely,


Richard Burmeister
1120 E. Madison Avenue
Fairfield, Iowa  52556