From: richard epp [rpepp@prodigy.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 12:53 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598 in the Subject line

To whom It May Concern,                                                                                  * FDA must require mandatory pre-market comprehensive environmental review.
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 irreparable damage.

* FDA must require mandatory pre-market long-term health testing.
GE products could be toxic, cause allergic responses, have lower nutritional
value, and compromise immune responses in consumers.

* FDA must require mandatory labelling of GE products. Without mandatory
labelling, 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 they need to hold
food producers liable should any of these novel products be hazardous.

* FDA must end its cozy relationship with industries it purports to be
regulating. People have been allowed to work for a biotech company, then work
for FDA writing the regulatory rules on that company's product, then go back to
working for the company.  92% of FDA advisory committee meetings had at least
one conflict of interest.
  Thank you for listening. 
          Sincerely,
              Richard Epp