From: PETER HINES [THEGRANOLAENGINEER@worldnet.att.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 1:08 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

Dear FDA Commissioner,

The proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations fail to
require labels or safety tests on genetically engineered (GE) food. These
new
rules mainly protect the economic intrests of the biotech industry and
are a fundelmental attack on our democratic right of choice.

In poll after poll the majority of Americans (90%+) have indicated that they
would not buy these foods if they were so labeled. In my own work
on this issue I have personally verified that these numbers are correct. It
is wrong
in our democratic society for the FDA to ignor this overwhelming desire of
American
consumers to exercise freedom of choice in the marketplace. And by refusing
to require both labeling and mandatory pre-market safety testing of foods
not
only does the FDA put consumer's health at risk it ignores possible
environmental
hazards.

It is not enough to require that firms simply notify you of their intent to
market a food produced with genetic engineering; this is no substitute for
thorough pre-market safety testing. The proposed "voluntary labeling"
guidelines will do nothing to inform consumers of the presence of
genetically
engineered ingredients in their food, because biotech companies and food
manufacturers have vehemently opposed labeling in the past and will not
voluntarily label their foods in the future.

Therefore, I urge you to keep all genetically engineered ingredients and
crops off the market unless or until:

1) Independent safety testing demonstrates they have no harmful effects
on human health or the environment;

2) They are labeled to ensure consumers right-to-know; and

3) The biotechnology corporations that produce them are held responsible
for any harms they may cause.

Sincerely,


Peter Hines