From: Charles S. R. Beatty [csrb@mediaone.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 7:42 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to say that the FDA must recant its current stand on genetic
engineering, or lose its validity completely.  As it is, the current
direction of the FDA reflects a too cozy relationship with businesses, and
ignores its mission of providing safe food for the public.

Genetically engineered foods must be labelled, must be subjected to lengthy
testing (over a generation), and banned.  Regardless of whatever gauze is
blinding the mission of the FDA, the fact is that genetic engineering is
morally objectionable, ecologically insane, and foolish.  We need to end it
now, although engineered genes have already entered some (many?) wild
plants, we must stop this today, for our own sake.

I have seen the enemy, and it is us.  I demand, as a sovereign human being,
the right to an untainted food system.  And by the way, I suggest the FDA
restructure itself and its goals, to reflect the will of people, rather than
business.

Sincerely,
Kirstin Beatty