From: OC EXECSEC
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 7:31 AM
To: Dockets, FDA
Subject: FW: Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered
Fish--Docket# 01P-0230



-----Original Message-----
From: Karen OConnor [mailto:karen@endofline.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2001 11:10 PM
To: Commissioner
Subject: Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered
Fish--Docket# 01P-0230



Commissioner ,

I am contacting you to express my concern about the possible 
commercialization of genetically engineered fish.  I urge  the 
FDA not to approve the current application by A/F Protein to sell GE 
Salmon.

Genetically engineered fish have the potential to be invasive species that
could cause irreversible ecological damage to wild fish stocks as well as
the wider marine environment. 

Sterility of genetically engineered fish is inherently uncertain given the
possibility for human error and natural variation. Even if sterility were
ever achievable, sterile genetically engineered fish would still compete
with wild fish for food, habitat and will affect the overall marine
ecology.

The history of fish farming clearly demonstrates that once released into
ocean ponds, fish will escape and, since fish do not obey national 
boundaries, any release of genetically engineered fish will be 
international by its very nature. The release of GE fish is an
international  concern in which we all have a stake and on which 
every government  and their citizens should have an opportunity to say no.

I urge the FDA not to approve the current application by A/F Protein for
GE Salmon because GE fish pose an unnecessary and unacceptable risk to the 
marine environment and potentially to human health.



Karen OConnor
15 Darrow Drive
Warwick, RI 02886
USA
karen@endofline.com