From: Mark Cohan [mcohan@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu]
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2001 4:22 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Labeling genetically-engineered foods

To Whom It May Concern,

I have recently been informed that the newest standards for federal
treatment of genetically engineered or altered foods that the Food and
Drug Administration is considering adopting do not require labeling of
or safety tests on such foods.  If I am wrong about this, I would be
pleased to be given correct information.  If my information is correct,
however, I must strenuously object.  In a democratic society, it seems
to me that at the very least, citizens have a right to know what is in
their food and how it has been processed.  Isn't that the rationale
behind requirements as nutrition labeling, which we now take for granted
and which no reasonable person would suggest is an undue burden on food
producers?  When then should standards in the case of labeling
genetically engineered foods be any different?  I urge those responsible
for making this decision to insist that consumers right to know take
precedence concerns about "inconveniencing" food producers.  Please
reformulate the FDA standards so that labeling of genetically engineered
foods is required.  Thank you.

Very sincerely,

Mark Cohan
Gainesville, FL
--
Mark Cohan
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Sociology
University of Florida
3219 Turlington Hall
P.O. Box 117330
Gainesville, FL 32611-7330