From: OC EXECSEC
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 7:25 PM
To: Dockets, FDA
Subject: FW: Do Not Approve A/F Protein's Genetically Engineered
Fish--Docket# 01P-0230



> ----------
> From: 	Ian Mohler[SMTP:ICM627@HOTMAIL.COM]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, June 13, 2001 7:24:35 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 ,

I am contacting you to express my concern about the possible 
commercialization of genetically engineered fish.  I urge  the 
FDA not to approve the current application by A/F Protein to sell GE 
Salmon.

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.

At this point we can only speculate as to what may happen if these fish were released into the wild. We are not prepared for the results and should not make hasty decisions based only on the promise of profit.

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.



Ian Mohler
4600 Oak Glen Way
Fair Oaks, CA 95628-6136 
USA
icm627@hotmail.com