From: Ohtodream@aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 11:38 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598
Dear FDA, 

As a very 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 unconstitutional 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 a few extra dollars in your pocket or the pocket of industry giants.   
Industries like you have the ability to affect the world in a huge way both 
positive and negative. These man-made decisions are NOT in the best interest 
of nature, humans, animals and plant life, nor our future. Conscious choices 
are the only way that our planet will survive through the mass amount of 
devastation already taking place upon it. PLEASE do the right thing. 

Very Concerned, 
Bambi Corso 
5833 Lapworth Drive 
Agoura Hills, CA 91301