From: Donna_Worden@monterey.edu
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 4:46 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Cc: Donna_Worden@monterey.edu
Subject: Oppose FDA's New Regulations on Genetically Engineered Food

Donna Worden
544 Debbie Court
Boulder Creek, CA  95006

Donna_Worden@monterey.edu


RE: Docket No. 00N-1396, and 00D-1598

Dear FDA,
 
Your proposed policies on genetically engineered (GE) foods are COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.  Despite overwhelming demand BY CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, your agency is proposing to continue to NOT require safety testing and mandatory labeling for GE foods.  Your "notification" policy is an insult to consumers, and irresponsibly ignores strong scientific evidence of numerous potential health and environmental risks of GE foods.

Because you MUST KNOW that these "foods" could be toxic or deadly, could cause allergic responses, could have lower nutritional value, could compromise immune responses in consumers, and could cause irreparable damage to the environment, is it only logical to assume that you are acting because of BRIBERY by the corporations that manufacture these so-called foods. 

Your proposed "voluntary labeling" policy is a FARCE, which denies citizens a basic right to know.  Without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor health professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction was the result of a genetically engineered food.  Citizens also would be deprived of the critical knowledge they would need to hold food producers liable should any of these novel "foods" prove hazardous, as they are likely to do.

Your proposed rules ignore serious concerns and appear to be a decision made to convenience industry at the expense of public health and the environment.  I WILL NOT ACCEPT your attempt to make me a guinea pig of these untested foods, and I trust you will listen to my concern, along with that of thousands of others, and reverse your proposed FOLLY.

Sincerely,
(Public Health Degree Candidate, May 2001)


Donna Worden