From: Cara Ryan [cara@rain.org]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 1:09 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

> Concerning genetically engineered foods, I must voice my concerns in
> the typed word.

> * Please 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. Do we really want to unleash something like this on our
> planet?

> * Please 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.  Our
> bodies don't really need more to battle or overcome.
>
> * Please 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.  We all value our power of choice especially a choice made
> with all the facts at hand.
>

Thank you very much.
Cara Ryan-Polito