From: Sinton Family [jsinton@lisco.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 2:29 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

Dear Sir/madam,

 

Re: Need to tighten proposed rules regarding GE Foods

 

The proposed rules do not address the concerns of the majority of US consumers as they:

 

    a.. Do not require mandatory pre-market safety testing 
    b.. Do not require pre-market environmental review 
    c.. Do not require mandatory labeling of GE foods 
    d.. Restrict voluntary labeling of non-GE foods 
    e.. Require a mere letter of notification prior to the marketing of a GE food 
    f.. Fail to ensure public access to adequate information for independent review 
    g.. Are supported by industries with vested interests and opposed by consumer groups 
 

Because, unlike conventional pollutants, where a given amount of pollutant causes a limited amount of damage, a small number of mutant genes could undergo a population explosion and reproduce forever, causing unlimited and irreparable damage.

 

Also, because without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor health professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction was the result of a genetically engineered food.

 

I feel strongly that the public need to be protected from the possible dangers resulting from GE food production, I recommend that the proposed rules are amended to require health and ecological safety testing and mandatory labeling, so that consumers are not denied the right to know and choose what they are eating.

 

Yours truly,

 

James Sinton