From: Steven Dunlap [sdunlap@ggu.edu]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 3:54 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: We Need Labels on Gene-Tampered Foods

From:  
Steven Dunlap  sad@ggu.edu
139 Vicksburg Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

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

Subj:  Docket No. 00D-1598

Sir or Madam:

Please revise your proposed rules to ensure that food producers and 
processors are *required* to provide clear and consistent labelling so that 
consumers are reliably informed whenever foods they may purchase contain 
genetically-tampered (aka "genetically engineered" or "genetically 
modified") components.

Failure to do so will, in addition to the health risks created, will reduce 
consumer confidence in the safety of the American food supply, which the 
FDA was created to safeguard.  Voluntary labelling schemes make as much 
sense as a scheme encouraging -- but not requiring -- auto makers to 
voluntarily  install seat belts, or a voluntary cigarette labelling plan.

This is a critical decision for the FDA, because millions of Americans are 
watching to see whether the FDA cares more about their interests or the 
interests of commercial agribusinesses/campaign contributors.  Please don't 
let us down.  Do the right thing and required genetically-tampered foods to 
be labelled so that the market can function properly and consumers can 
decide for themselves which producers to reward with their dollars.

Thank you,
/s/ Steven Dunlap