From: Shirley Hardy [sanjeevini@imbris.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2001 10:59 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Fw: Genetically Engineered Foods


> > > >
> > > > fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
> > > >
> > > > Put in the subject line:Genetically Enginerred foods
> > > > Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598
> > > >
> > > > Dear Sirs:
> > > >
> > > > I am writing to state my firm belief that genetically engineered
foods
> > > > must be labeled and tested for safety.  Guidelines adopted by the
FDA
> > > > thus far are woefully inadequate.  Please see the points below.
> > > >
> > > > 1.  The FDA must require mandatory pre-market comprehensive
> > > >   environmental review. Unlike conventional pollutants,
> > > >   where a given amount of pollutant causes a limited amount
> > > >   of damage, a small number of mutant genes could have a
> > > >   population explosion and reproduce forever, causing
> > > >   unlimited and irreparable damage.
> > > >
> > > > 2.  The FDA must require mandatory pre-market long-term health
> > > >   testing. GE products could be toxic, cause allergic
> > > >   responses, have lower nutritional value, and compromise
> > > >   immune responses in consumers.
> > > >
> > > > 3. The FDA must require mandatory labeling of GE products.
> > > >   Without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor health
> > > >   professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction
> > > >   was the result of a genetically engineered food. Consumers
> > > >   would be deprived of the critical knowledge needed to hold
> > > >   food producers liable should any of these novel products
> > > >   be hazardous.
> > > >
> > > > 4.  The FDA must end its cozy relationship with the industries
> > > >   it purports to be regulating. People have been allowed to
> > > >   work for a biotech company, then work for the FDA writing the
> > > >   regulatory rules on that company's product, then go back to
> > > >   working for the company.  Ninety-two percent of FDA advisory
> > > >   committee meetings had at least one conflict of interest.
> > > >
> > > > Sincerely,
> > > > Shirley Hardy
             1221 Selkirk Rd
             Sandpoint ID 83864-7100
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>