From: " O " [NewSky@bluenet.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 9:02 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: "Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598"

Dear FDA, I am concerned that the road that's being taken toward pushing
genetically modified foods on the Human race is one that could change us
forever . Shouldn't we make that or ANY, change for our world the most
positive and  beneficial possible? Now is the time to thoroughly
consider ALL aspects and possible outcomes of  that action. 

* The FDA must require mandatory pre-market comprehensive 
  environmental review. Unlike conventional pollutants, 
  where a given amount of pollutant causes a limited amount 
  of damage, a small number of mutant genes could have a 
  population explosion and reproduce forever, causing 
  unlimited and irreparable damage.

* The FDA must require mandatory pre-market long-term health 
  testing. GE products could be toxic, cause allergic 
  responses, have lower nutritional value, and compromise 
  immune responses in consumers.

* The FDA must require mandatory labeling of GE products. 
  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 
  would be deprived of the critical knowledge needed to hold 
  food producers liable should any of these novel products 
  be hazardous.

* The FDA must end its cozy relationship with the industries
  it purports to be regulating. People have been allowed to 
  work for a biotech company, then work for the FDA writing the 
  regulatory rules on that company's product, then go back to
  working for the company.  Ninety-two percent of FDA advisory 
  committee meetings had at least one conflict of interest.

I sincerely hope you will deeply consider (from the heart as well as
head or wallet) the long term effects of any action as profoundly basic
to Human life as tampering with the natrual chemistry of our food
supply. 
 Sincerely,
 Ms. O'Clair Alexander 
 (simply another  member of this Human race)