From: Baraka [baraka@LanMinds.Com]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 1:09 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Frankenstein Food

Dear members of the FDA,

You have requested public comment on your proposed
"regulations" regarding bio-engineered and genetically
altered foods.

As a member of the public, I am deeply concerned that
the FDA has bent over backward to support the profits
of the producing companies over the health interests of
the citizens of this country.  It is unconsciounable that
you have pandered to the very interests that stand to reap
billions of dollars from these untested developments, with
no regard for the concerns of millions of consumers.

These products are NOT tested adequately; the only tests
which you have considered have been those made by the very
entities whose products you are evaluating.  This is neither
scientifically nor morally acceptable.

While I realize that it is unlikely, given the huge
amounts of money involved, that you will refuse to
allow these malign agents into our food supply, at the
very least it should be absolutely mandatory that these
products are CLEARLY AND COMPLETED LABELED TO DISCLOSE
THEIR CONSTITUENT PARTS, so that consumers may make
educated choices not to purchase them.

If you fail to require stringent and highly visible
disclosure in labelling, you have failed in your
responsibility and duty to the citizens of this country.

* 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.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Bāraka
1700 Church St. #1265
San Francisco CA  94131
Voicemail: 415/435-8727
Email:	baraka@lmi.net

"Art is the communication of ecstasy." - Sergei Ouspensky