From: ReneeCPO14@cs.com
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2001 4:28 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket Numbers 99N-4282 & 00N-1396 Biotechnology, Genetically
Engineered Food

                                            P. O. Box 5034      
                                            Manning, OR 97125
                                            March 31, 2001

To Whom It May Concern:

    I have serious concerns about Genetically Engineered foods. They may well 
have something to offer us, however, I would like to see the following 
actions implemented.  They would ensure people's ability to make informed 
choices, and allow time to watch for unforeseen outcomes.  If there are 
benefits to humanity, they won't disappear with time, only be strengthened.  
I don't feel the rush is necessary or healthy for the American people or the 
environment.
    1.  Require full and accurate labeling so consumers can make informed 
decisions.  Many people have allergies, and could have serious health 
consequences from ingesting GE foods  (The New England Journal of Medicine, 
1996).    Current health effects can't even be tracked because people don't 
know what they are eating. That is irresponsible science.
    2.  Impose liability for biotech companies whose products cause harm 
either through ingestion, damage to the soil or environment, or contamination 
of adjacent non-GE crops.
    3.  Establish a moratorium on GE Foods for a period of long-term testing 
done by independent agencies, to determine their safety for consumption and 
impacts to the environment.  When some of these creations crossbreed with 
weeds, do we now have super weeds?  Super bugs?  Death of beneficial insects 
like monarch butterflies(Cornell University research), ladybugs(European 
research), and honeybees(New Scientist, 1997)?  Antibiotic resistance due to 
marker genes?  Or, do we create hundreds of acres sterile of life due to 
either overspraying or poisonous plants which destroy all insects rending a 
void in the food chain?  What are the long-term consequences of these actions 
on the earth, and thus future generations?
    You have a very serious decision to make. Do you continue to allow 
Americans to be treated as lab rats?  Other countries have placed 
restrictions on GE foods to protect their citizens from untested products.  
The industry is changing more rapidly than our laws.  You need to take action 
similar to Europe in order to slow the pace of this technology.
                                            Yours truly,
                                            Renee Mills