From: jillp@advantagenatural.com
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2001 3:30 PM
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.


I want your companies to refrain from using GMO based food until the inpact on the environment is completly understood. As we can see, in many cases it is too late. I am so disturbed by the implcations of GMO food, that I now make an effort to only buy organic food. When major companies begin making a statment against GMO's (like McDonalds and ADM) I will return to the conventional grocery market.


Sincerely

jill passmore
13610 1st ave S
seattle, Washington 98168