From: Xnun2@aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 10:16 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Fwd: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

In a message dated 03/26/2001 7:40:13 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
bdainov8@erols.com writes:

Dear Sir/Madam:

 As you review this proposed legislation, I would like to voice my concern 
over the lack of public knowledge as to what is going on in the process of 
bringing Genetically-Modified  foods to the market.  I believe that most 
people do not know or understand the science which goes on behind the 
development of these foods, or the potential impact of under-testing (or lack 
of testing).  As such, I believe it is the responsibility of the FDA to 
require that ALL GM foods are tested and that these test results are made 
available to the public.  Furthermore, I do believe it is critical, if 
nothing else is done to protect the public, that at the very least, all GM 
foods should be LABELED as such.  If the companies who develop these foods 
have nothing to hide, they should not fear labeling.  The very fact that a 
law must be passed to force them to label their foods as GM, indicates to me 
that there may be unresolved problems in their development.
  
 Please be sure to include the following in your regulations (these are not 
included currently in your proposed legislation):
 
   a.. Require mandatory pre-market safety testing.  It has taken our modern 
technical world too many years to identify what we now call conventional 
pollutants.  This process took many years and too many people were victims 
before polluters were stopped.  But with GM, an unsafe product can 
potentially cause any number of long term effects.  The fact is, scientist 
don't really know what the long term effects will be.This kind of damage 
cannot be undone.  Just look at the many examples of bringing in a new 
species to the wrong environment (not GE, but only introduction):  
'killer-bees' and nutria are two small examples.  They are tolerable, but we 
can't afford a mistake with our agriculture industry. 
    B.   Require pre-market environmental review.  The 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. 

   C.   Require MANDATORY labeling of GE foods.  Without mandatory labeling, 
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 needed to hold food producers liable 
should any of these novel products be hazardous.  Regardless of any other 
decision, PLEASE require labeling so the informed consumer may chose!

   D.   Do not restrict voluntary labeling of non-GE foods.  This is also a 
way for people to be able to chose products which do not use GM foods.  We 
should all have the right to chose what goes into our bodies. 

    E.  Ensure public access to adequate information for independent review.  
The very idea that a company can put scientifically modified food on the 
market without public review is outrageous.  The public has a right to know, 
and access should be made without difficulty.  I would point to how the EPA 
managed the 'right-to-know' laws.  These laws did not shut down corporate 
interests.  

 Please be sure that these regulations protect the public (your job) and not 
the industry groups (they have plenty of people including lobbyists and 
lawyers who already do that for them).

    I  want to be able to chose what risks I take with my food and my body.  
And that includes whether I eat GM foods.  Protect my rights to be able to do 
that without having to hire a private detective to find out the information 
that I need to know.
  >>

Sincerely,
Mrs. Charles Clark
2240 Cox Road
Cocoa, FL 32926