From: Mark A. Miller [markitek@mcs.net]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 12:21 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

Dear FDA,

I have been following the Genetically Engineered food issue for some
time.  I am
writting to you to inform you that I, and all of the people I know, want
the following
items:

* 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.

It is beyond my comprehension why you wouldn't, at the least,
demand that all food producers label that their products have GE
foods in them and which ones they have.  It is my right to know
what i am putting in my body!  This is more important to me than
knowing how many calories or grams of fat i am consuming.
DO NOT TAKE THIS RIGHT AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC!!!!

Sincerely,

Mark A. Miller