From: Scabeanda1@cs.com
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 3:52 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket OON-1396 and Docket OOD-1598

To Whom It May Concern:

This message is to demand that our government protect its citizens from the 
yet unknown and potentially harmful affects of consuming genetically 
engineered foods without being notified that said food was altered 
genetically. 

I have seen a synopsis of the proposed rules and am appalled at the disregard 
for consumer concerns over those of the food industries. 

This topic will not go away. It is advised that you at the FDA heed public 
outcry. I do not take kindly to having unknown and hidden materials put in my 
mouth. How dare anyone work to keep GE food hidden. If you think it is so 
safe, then what is the hesitation to informing the consumer. You and the food 
industry are unwilling to inform the public for monetary concerns. You think 
people will not buy as many products or certain types. Well, it makes sense 
that people are wary of something when the government and industry tries to 
hide it. The natural conclusion is the product or process is harmful. Secrets 
and bamboozling make people nervous (DUH...). Use some common sense. The long 
term ramifications could be disastrous for the entire globe without proper 
and adequate safeguards and testing. Stop ramming this down our throats. The 
food industries profits are not of primary concern here. 

The health and well being of the world should be your concern. I truly 
believe it is for those of you who have not worked for or consulted with  the 
very industries who will profit from putting these longitudinally untested 
products on the market to become part of virtually every product sold on the 
grocery store shelves.

I ask for you to heed the following:
 
> 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.

> 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.

> 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.

> end FDA collusion 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.

Thank you for your time

Brenda Beazlie
US citizen and taxpayer