From: Tim Wilson [timwilson@post.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 10:06 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598

Dear FDA,

This message is in support of the mandatory labelling and testing of 
genetically engineered foods.  I vehemently support labelling because:

1.  Consumers should be able to choose.  I don't want to eat any 
genetically engineered foods.  I absolutely believe that we do not know 
nearly enough about nutrition and its effects to begin to "engineer" 
foods.  Modern agriculture has destroyed forests and soil while reducing 
the nutritional content of our foods (fewer vitamins and minerals).  Now it 
wants to indiscriminately subject to bio-toxins and yield enhancers which 
are great for corporate earnings but do NOTHING to improve the nutritional 
content.  We don't even know what nutrition really is yet.  We are still 
trying to discover how mother nature miraculously prevents cancer through 
some magical mix in broccoli and alleviates depression with some brew in 
St. John's Wort.  To begin to think we know any where near enough to 
manipulate our food supply, is the epitomy of arrogance and I want to be 
able to protect my family from these ill conceived efforts.  Therefore, I 
implore you to create and enforce the mandatory labelling of genetically 
engineered foods.

2.  In addition, before any man made mutation is released into the 
environment, we have to know the long term consequences of that action both 
on humans and on the environment.  How can we say we should test drugs, but 
not Frankenfoods?  Shouldn't we know if there are going to be allergic 
reactions, toxicity reactions and so on before we start feeding this stuff 
to the general population?  Of course we should.  And shouldn't we 
understand the environment consequences of these concoctions before 
introducing them?  There is already some evidence that the toxins 
introduced in these products move up the food chain.  How can we in good 
conscience risk the health of the population or our environment without 
thorough long term testing?  Its our food for gods sake.  Not some optional 
drug.  OUR FOOD.  Let's not make the same mistakes with it that we made in 
prior centuries with our air and our water.  Therefore, I implore you to 
demand complete long term health and environmental testing of any 
genetically engineered anything before it is introduced into commercial use.

Thank you,
Tim Wilson