From: Penny Minkler [pminkler@mum.edu]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 12:45 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED PRODUCTS MUST BE LABELED

Dear FDA,

As a concerned consumer, I am writing to urge that all genetically
engineered/modified foods be clearly labeled, as well as thoroughly tested
for safety. I am not happy being a guinea pig for profit-hungry seed
companies. We are subjected to enough external environmental toxins without
having to worry about the food we eat.

In particular, I urge that:

* 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.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Penny Minkler

Penny Minkler
Assistant to the Dean of Faculty
Maharishi University of Management
Fairfield, IA 52557
Phone/Fax: (641) 472-1161