From: Brower, Mark G [MB151000@Exchange.AtlantaGA.NCR.com] Sent: Friday, January 19, 2001 10:24 AM To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: Labels for Genetically Modified Foods I am extremely disappointed in your decision to not require labels on foods with genetically modified ingredients. I believe it is my right to know the specifics of the ingredients in the foods I purchase, and your duty to insure that right is protected. Especially if the specifics of that food are that it is not natural, but altered artificially by man. Your proposed policy of publishing some information from the food manufacturers about new genetically engineered foods on your web-site does not insure that right. It does not put the information in the right place at the right time for me to make a proper decision on my food purchases. I cannot carry my PC in to the grocery store and search on-line through your publications to find out if the food I am about to purchase is genetically engineered and in what way. I must have that information on the label to make use of it in my food purchasing decision. Your policy also does not appear to cover information on pre-existing genetically engineered foods. I do not want to blindly trust my health to food manufacturing companies that subscribe to a Cartesian philosophy that foods are nothing more than a conglomeration of discrete parts (genes), and nature is a machine made up of discrete parts that can be manipulated individually. That kind of thinking, coupled with the ability to play God by altering life forms genetically, must certainly produce disaster in the long run. I do not want to support these actions by purchasing their product, genetically engineered food. I did not see the docket number for this, please email it to me at mbrower@flash.net so I can track it. Thank you for listening to my opinion, Mark Brower