From: Satyachetana Ashram-India [divine99@md4.vsnl.net.in]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 3:38 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: IN RE Genetically engineered foods

FROM:

Sharon Messer

Satyachetana Ashram

Village Kosalai

PO Adiannamalai

Dt. Tiruvannamalai 606 604

Tamil Nadu, India

TO:

Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
Email: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov


Subject: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED PRODUCTS MUST BE LABELED AND TESTED FOR SAFETY

Dear Sir/Madam:

Although at the moment I am living outside the United States, I am concerned with the food labeling requirements of my country of birth. For many years I have been a proponent of natural foods and have avoided anything that I thought was not organic and natural. The subject of genetically engineered foods has been a difficult concept to accept. It seems that we are tampering with Mother Nature without knowing fully what the consequences will be. We seem to be, as a nation, allowing ourselves to be the guinea pigs in this gigantic experiment. 

I have no quarrel with genetically engineered foods. People should be able to produce them and consumers should be allowed to benefit from them, but I also feel that each person should have the choice. Since labels are not required, are even restricted in some cases, I believe this policy should be put under close scrutiny. 

An independent panel should evaluate present policy as well as consumer concerns for safety and health. Since there apparently has been insufficient testing of long term effects of these foods, it is time that this was rectified. 

The purpose of the FDA is to protect Americans from full-scale harm insofar as possible. The FDA must require mandatory pre-market comprehensive environmental review. It must require mandatory pre-market long-term health testing. Genetically engineered products could be toxic, cause allergic responses, have lower nutritional value, and compromise immune responses in consumers. There must be mandatory labeling of GE products so that consumers will have free choice in their food requirements. 

It is my sincere wish and prayer that the FDA will be able to stand up for what the American people want and what is best for them. The only way this can be determined is by honestly and closely examining the whole issue of GE foods.

Sincerely Yours, 

Sharon Messer