From: VS75204@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 12:49 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: "dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598

Dear FDA Commissioner,

My name is Victoria Abram and I am a student at Texas Woman's University in 
Dallas, TX. I am majoring in Food Science in Industry and Business. I would 
appreciate it if you would make more of an effort to educate people about 
genetically engineered foods, since there is already a genetically engineered 
food supplement, known as tryptophan.  This supplement has already killed 37 
people and disabled 1500 others.

Many scientists have significant concerns about the environmental and health 
risks associated with genetically engineered foods. For example, Food 
manufacturers are selling potatoes and corn that have been genetically 
engineered to contain the Bt toxin (Bacillus thuringiensis). The Bt toxin 
stays in the cell structure of the plants and is deadly enough to kill 
insects. We are being told that these foods are safe for human consumption, 
but we have heard that before about DDT, EDB, and many other pesticides which 
were later shown to be cancer producing.

In Europe genetically engineered foods are required to be labeled and very 
few people want to purchase them. Here in the United States, government 
supervision has been minimal, and biotech companies have been able to flood 
the market with genetically altered foods. 

I do not want to eat genetically engineered foods that contain the Bt toxin. 
Nor do I want to eat "Roundup Ready" soybeans or other future products such 
as tomatoes that contain the gene from a fish! But without labeling, I cannot 
avoid it.

As an individual, I am concerned about my health and am very disappointed 
that the FDA continues to ignore the safety concerns of it's consumers.  It 
appears that the FDA is choosing to help the companies producing biotech 
products and ignoring the health of its consumers. 

I urge you to change the policy on genetically engineered foods to one that 
protects the right of the consumer.

Please write back to me and let me know if you intend to support labeling 
legislation for genetically engineered foods in the U.S. Senate. Similar 
labeling legislation has already been passed into law in Europe, Australia 
and Japan. Thank you! 

Sincerely,
Victoria Abram