From: Maes, Linda [Linda.Maes@gambrobct.com]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 2:16 PM
To: 'fdadockets@oc.fda.gov'
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

To whom it concerns:

I have heard that, as the FDA is proposing new rules for Genetically
Engineered foods,
the proposed rules:

* Do not require mandatory pre-market safety testing
* Do not require pre-market environmental review
* Do not require mandatory labeling of GE foods
* Restrict voluntary labeling of non-GE foods
* Require a mere letter of notification prior to the 
  marketing of a GE food
* Fail to ensure public access to adequate information 
  for independent review
* Are supported by industry and opposed by consumer groups

I think you need to know that most consumers, myself included, feel that we
need to know when we are buying/eating/and or feeding our children GE foods.
It is an unknown health risk at this point, similiar to a massive experiment
on the general public, that I am very very opposed to.  I also believe, as
the Monsanto Round-up Ready soybean experience shows us, that we are
creating unknown and unprecedented havoc on the environment, demonstrated
just as an example by the deaths of the monarch butterflies that feed off of
milkweed contaminated by Roundup-Ready corn pollen.  

GE foods require a LOT of environmental and health testing before being
approved, they need to be labelled as GE, so consumers can choose, and the
FDA must be very careful here so as not to appear to be "in bed" with the
major corporations that are pushing GE foods being sold without labelling.

Linda R. Maes
Linda.Maes@gambrobct.com