From: Kaipono Builder [chavpard@hialoha.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 3:01 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Genetically Engineered Foods

FDA - To Whom it may Concern: 
I am a Mother of three children, who is very concerned about what I feed my children.  I was raised by a loving Father who honestly believes that GE foods are necessary to feed the world.  I disagree adamantly and realize since people have different opinions about foods - the only way to allow people to make their own choices is to require labeling.  The following seem like sane choices in dealing with the differing opinions regarding genetically engineered foods: 
* The 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 and irreparable damage.

* The 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.

* The FDA must 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.

* The FDA must 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.

Please allow people to make informed choices about what they put into their own bodies and those of their children.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
 
Sincerely,
Michele Chavez-Pardini
P.O. Box 2538
Kamuela, HI 96743