| Comment Record |
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Commentor |
Ms. Ellen Sasaki |
Date/Time |
2001-03-21 12:14:09 |
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Organization |
none |
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Category |
Individual |
| Comments for FDA General |
| Questions |
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1. General Comments
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I am writing to insist that the FDA require mandatory labelling of Genetically Engineered (GE) foods. Neither scientists nor the public has any idea what the long term effects of the release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) will be. We do know that these organisms can spread to non-modified crops, through wind and pollinators such as bees. The known results of genetically enginneered crops include ecosystem disruption (through reducing biodiversity), damaging soil fertility and inducing the development of new pathogens. There is certainly also the possible danger of antibiotic resistance in humans and animals that eat these foods. And of most concern, at the point we acknowledge that GMOs are harmful, it will be impossible to turn back.
The United States lags far behind many other industrial countries in its awareness of and action against genetically modified foods. Currently, up to 70% of processed foods now contain GE foods. In Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, public protest has been to such a degree, there is almost no market for genetically engineered foods. The US public, in its ignorance and/or dismissal of the dangers of GE foods is certain to suffer dire health, environmental and other consequences should the production of GE foods remain unchecked.
At the very least, the public needs to know what it is consuming. This requires immediate mandatory labelling of all genetically engineered foods.
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