From: Ilexopaca72@aol.com Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 4:32 PM To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: genetically engineered food Dear FDA, As a concerned citizen, I am compelled to respond to the threat that genetically engineered food products present consumers and the environment and future generations with. Besides the fact that genetically engineered food has so many unknowns and could potentially create serious irreversible damage to humankind as well as the earth, I feel it is a blatant violation of my rights to allow these types of products to be sold to me unknowingly. In fact, it is even more obtuse that the proposed ruling would prohibit non-genetically engineered food to be so labeled. Not only is this proposed ruling unconstitional and a violation of my rights, it is down right horrifying. I have the right to be able to make consumer choices and this ruling takes away my choice to eat wholesome, organic food that is not only good for me, but good for the world. I feel: * 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 acknowledging these basic human rights as being more important than do a few extra dollars in your pocket or the pocket of industry giants. If this is not the case, and you feel that these basic human rights upon which our country was origninally founded, are less important than stroking the egos of big business, then please go to another country where such dictatorships are welcomed. --------------------
Hey folks, good friends, etc ..... this is serious stuff .... please take two minutes to read what is happening and respond. I have even included my own response that you are welcome to cut and paste and use, should you be in a time crunch. Please let your voice be heard on this issue.