From: Daniele D [tectonicactivity@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 11:56 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598 

Dear Sir/Madam,
As you review the pros and cons of the proposed
legislation, I would like to voice my concern over the
inability of the general public to know what is going
on in the process of bring GM foods to the market.  I
believe that most people do not know or understand the
science which goes on behind the development of these
foods, or the potential impact of under-testing (or
lack of testing).  As such, I believe it is the
responsibility of the FDA to require that all GM foods
are tested and that these test results are made
available to the public.  Furthermore, I do believe it
is critical, if nothing else is done to protect the
public, that at the very least, all GM foods should be
labeled as such.  If the ag-companies who develop
these foods have nothing to hide, they should not fear
labeling.  The very fact that a law must be passed to
force them to label their foods as GM, indicates to me
that there may be problems.
 
I happen to know that there has been on-going
discussion and overwhelming consumer demand asking
that the FDA
require health and ecological safety testing, and
mandatory labeling.  As I see it, there should be no
discussion. Please do it!

Please be sure to include the following in your
regulations (these are not included currently in your
proposed legislation):
 
Require mandatory pre-market safety testing.  It has
taken our modern technical world too many years to
identify what we now call conventional pollutants. 
This process took many years and too many people were
victims before polluters were stopped.  But with GM,
an unsafe product can potentially cause any number of
long term effects.  The fact is, scientist don't
really know what the long term affects will be.  Why
should we, the public be unknowing guinea pigs as
these companies put out unproved product and reap
profits.  This kind of damage can not be undone. 
Later will be more than too late.  Just look at the
many examples of bringing in a new species to the
wrong environment (not GE, but only introduction): 
'killer-bees' and nutria are two small examples.  They
are tolerable, but we can't afford a mistake with our
agriculture industry. 
Require pre-market environmental review.  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.  While all of these could be
an issue with any food, the idea is that when 'man'
creates something new, he should be responsible in
knowing all that he can about it before subjecting the
public.

Require mandatory labeling of GE foods.  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.  Regardless
of any other decision, PLEASE require labeling so the
informed consumer may chose! 

Do no restrict voluntary labeling of non-GE foods. 
This is also a way for people to be able to chose
products which do not use GM foods.  We should all
have the right to chose what goes into our bodies. 
Why should some corporate being, pacifying the
government structure, be allowed to decide what I buy
and what I don't.  Don't prohibit those businesses who
chose a 'lower technology' path to advertise their
niche. 

Ensure public access to adequate information for
independent review.  The very idea that a company can
put scientifically modified food on the market without
public review is outrageous.  The public has a right
to know, and access should be made without difficulty.
 I would point to how the EPA managed the
'right-to-know' laws.  These laws did not shut down
corporate interests.  In fact, in many cases, it
allowed businesses to establish a better citizenship
role within their communities.  It open up dialog and
allowed people to understand and manage risks in a
more effective manner.

Please be sure that these regulations protect the
public (your job) and not the industry groups (they
have plenty of people including lobbyists and lawyers
who already do that for them).
 
I am a college student pursuing a degree in geology,
with a focus on environmental issues.  I consider
myself open minded and well educated.  I do not
pretend to know everything there is to know about GM
foods. But I do know that I want to be able to chose
what risks I take with my food and my body.  And that
includes whether I eat GM foods.  Protect my rights to
be able to do that without having to hire a private
detective to find out the information that I need to
know.
 
Sincerely,
Daniele M. Davies
 
Mailing address:  
C-1417
Wooster, Ohio 44691
 
Phone:  330-287-3000 ext 6349

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