From: Andrew Koransky [andrew@koransky.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 1:32 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Cc: action201@sustainableagriculture.net
Subject: Docket No. 00N-1396 & Docket No. 00D-1598

Andrew Koransky
2015 Powers Ferry Rd SE Apt E
Marietta, GA 30067-5231
770-818-9665
2/1/2001

FDA Commissioner,  Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

To whom it may concern:

On January 18, 2001, the FDA announced new rules on genetically engineered
(GE) foods.  Despite overwhelming consumer demand, the FDA has failed to
require safety testing, mandatory labeling and other consumer protections
for GE foods.  Please consider the following requests:

- FDA must require mandatory pre-market safety testing:  GE foods could be
toxic, could cause allergic responses, could have lower nutritional value,
and could compromise immune responses in consumers.

- FDA must require mandatory pre-market environmental review: GE crops and
foods could cause irreparable damage to the environment.

- FDA must 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 will also be deprived of the critical knowledge they need to hold
food producers liable should any of these novel foods prove hazardous.

- This "Notification" policy is an insult to consumers, and irresponsibly
ignores strong scientific evidence of numerous potential health and
environmental risks of GE foods.  These Rules  appear to be a decision made
to convenience industry at the expense of public health, consumer
information, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Andrew Koransky
andrew@koransky.com