From: karl.walker@ecoscorp.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 12:05 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: What's in your food? (FDA Dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598)


Dear Corporate and Government Leaders,

Neither government nor industry is protecting Americans from the risks posed to human health and the environment by genetically engineered (GE) foods. The Food and Drug Administration's "new" policy on GE foods (proposed January 18, 2001) continues to let the biotech industry regulate itself; it fails to require the long-term, pre-market safety testing demanded by independent experts. The "voluntary labeling" guidelines are a wholly inadequate response to the overwhelming public support for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. Therefore, I urge you to keep all genetically engineered ingredients and crops off the market unless:

1) Independent safety testing demonstrates they have no harmful effects on human health or the environment, 

2) They are labeled to ensure the consumer's right-to-know, and 

3) The biotechnology corporations that manufacture them are held accountable for any harms they may cause.


The FDA must listen to the consumer, recognise what the consumer wants and deliver the goods - GM Free goods if that is what they want. 

Get your fingers out of GM pies and stop tucking these things into our bellies. Give us the choice. Promote the organic option and conserve organic farming. Listen to farmers and stop directing their future.  

1% GE free is not good enough. 


Sincerely

Karl Walker
watkin
sydney,