From: Barb [bfix@rconnect.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 10:14 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Comments on requirements for GE Labeling

* 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 irreparable damage.

* 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.

* FDA must require mandatory labelling of GE products. Without mandatory
labelling, 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 they need to hold
food producers liable should any of these novel products be hazardous.

* FDA must end its cozy relationship with industries it purports to be
regulating. People have been allowed to work for a biotech company, then work
for FDA writing the regulatory rules on that company's product, then go back
to
working for the company.  92% of FDA advisory committee meetings had at least
one conflict of interest.

Barbara Fix
Rural, SE MN
bfix@rconnect.com