From: jbird707@aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 11:19 PM
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.


You guys have to be crazy! Using GE products will be your downfall.  The public does not want this, they want to ensure their health in the future.  How can you feel good about trying to back a product you have to lie to people about to get them to buy it? Go back to being public minded companies with some integrity,stop using GE products, market that fact, and you'll be one step ahead of your big competition!


Sincerely

Jason Osburn
1574 G St.
Arcata, California 95521