From: Michael Finney [michael_d_finney@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2001 11:38 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: genetically engineered foods

Docket No. 00N-1396 & Docket No. 00D-1598
FDA Commissioner, Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

As Commissioner of FDA, it is your responsibility to
place public health above corporate profits. Please
live up to your responsibility. Protect the public and
the environment from the serious risks of genetically
engineered foods (GEFs) by requiring mandatory safety
testing and labeling of all GEFs, pre-market
environmental review, and full disclosure.

Genetic engineering involves manipulations of genes
between different species and allows scientists to
bypass the natural barriers which protect the genetic
integrity of species. Foods containing or produced
from
genetic engineering can cause allergic responses, be
toxic, have lowered nutritional value and/or
compromise immune responses in consumers. Likewise,
genetically engineered crops can have
unpredictable,irreversible changes to the environment.

FDA's proposed rule makes all labeling of GEFs only
voluntary. This does not protect my right-to-know or
allow me consumer choice to protect my family and the
environment. Voluntary labeling unfairly releases
producers from their responsibility to public health
and the environment.  

The FDA notes that producers of GEFs may claim that
any such information, including the premarket
notification,
is trade secret or confidential business information
subject to exemption from public disclosure
requirements. Does this mean that millions of
Americans must submit to being guinea pigs to protect
trade secrets? This is another classic example of
industry's willingness to place profits over people.
Our nation's health depends on your willingness to do
the right thing, don't blow it!

Michael Finney
1117 Hollowcreek #104
Austin, TX 78704

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