From: margoemrich@home.com
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 7:34 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.


I am allergic to corn and have found it very difficult to avoid in the past.  Genetically engineered food will make this difficult task even more so.  Therefore, at the least, for the safety of the citizens of this country I ask you for strict labeling of genetically-engineered foods.  Citizens have the right to be able to choose what foods to eat and a right to know exactly what they are eating. 


Sincerely

Margo Emrich
I am 
Oregon 97520