From: ppinto@snet.net
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 10:57 AM
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.


As an mother I urge you to stop using the children of this country, or any other country, as guinea pigs.  I can't believe that the very agency (FDA) that is suppose to be there to protect us is allowing the bio-tech industry to control our food supply.  I firmly believe that all GE foods should be labeled, especially infant formula.  I can't believe that our babies are allowed, behind our backs, to consume roundup ready soy in their sole food supply the most crucial, first year of life.  These infants are developing so rapidly during this time and I feel their development has been compromised.  The cancer rate for children is steadily on the rise.  Don't let the bio-tech companies continue to test their experimental products on our children.


Sincerely

Pamela Pinto