From: jgmartn1@earthlink.net
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2001 12:27 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: What's in your food? (FDA Dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598)


Dear Corporate and Government Leaders,

Neither government nor industry is protecting Americans from the risks posed to human health and the environment by genetically engineered (GE) foods. The Food and Drug Administration's "new" policy on GE foods (proposed January 18, 2001) continues to let the biotech industry regulate itself; it fails to require the long-term, pre-market safety testing demanded by independent experts. The "voluntary labeling" guidelines are a wholly inadequate response to the overwhelming public support for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. Therefore, I urge you to keep all genetically engineered ingredients and crops off the market unless:

1) Independent safety testing demonstrates they have no harmful effects on human health or the environment, 

2) They are labeled to ensure the consumer's right-to-know, and 

3) The biotechnology corporations that manufacture them are held accountable for any harms they may cause.


Remember the dangers around DDT?  Remember how it was banned in U.S.?  Where did it go? To foreign countries where it is legal to use.  Where do we get much of our produce from? Foreign countries like Mexico, South America, etc.  Guess what?  Our produce is still treated with DDT - but not here in the U.S.  Do not make matters worse by messing around with nature.  We may not see the immediate effect of the changes, but our children ad their children will.  Have a conscience - insist that foods that are GMO are labeled correctly and clearly to protect the public - do NOT let big money buy you like the rest of our politicians - we will see right through your blunders and will eventually expose the corruptness.


Sincerely

Joe Martinez
27 Deer Creek
Irvine, California 92604