From: OC EXECSEC
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 5:13 PM
To: Dockets, FDA
Subject: FW: Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered
Fish--Docket# 01P-0230



> ----------
> From: 	Marion Appel[SMTP:MAORYZAE@PIPELINE.COM]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, June 13, 2001 5:12:37 PM
> To: 	FDA Commissioner
> Subject: 	Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered Fish--Docket# 01P-0230
> Auto forwarded by a Rule
> 
> 
FDA Commissioner ,

Although this letter is based on a sample text, please note that it is representative of my individual position (and just happens to be more clearly written than anything I'd have come up with on my own...) I urge  the 
FDA to reject the current application by A/F Protein to sell GE 
Salmon. My concern is the big picture: the individual farmed fish may seemingly pose no threat to fish in the wild, but history and many scientific studies (published since the 70s from the University of Michigan) indicate otherwise.  Farmed fish may be enclosed, but they still transmit and respond to olfactory signals in the water. These signals indicate fertility, and safety/threat of other or similar animals. If the signals are incompatible with opportunity -- e.g. if the presence of ammonia masks the pheremones of a nearby mate -- the species will dwindle.  Because genetically modified fish are prone to faster growth and different mating rhythms, the wild population will be affected by changes in chemical messages in their environment. 

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 effect 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.



Marion Appel
12 E. 22nd St.
New York, NY 10010
maoryzae@pipeline.com