Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

RE: Support H.R. 2916, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act of 2003

Dear Representative ,

I urge you to co-sponsor and actively support H.R. 2916, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act of 2003.

Genetically engineered (GE) foods contain transgenic material from animals, insects and bacteria that never could occur in natural hybridization. GE crops contain antibiotic-resistant marker genes as well as viral promoter and foreign proteins never before consumed by humans. Considering that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says we should know if orange juice is fresh or from concentrate, it’s common sense to label genetically altered foods.

The FDA is not testing these products. FDA guidelines say GE foods must be tested, but the biotech companies determine whether their products are safe or whether they warrant analytical or toxicological tests. Even if companies acknowledge safety questions, "consultations" with the FDA are voluntary. If the companies choose to talk to the FDA, they must present only summaries of their data.

Public opinion polls consistently show that the great majority of Americans--both Democrats and Republicans--want genetically engineered foods to be labeled. For example, a survey by ABC News conducted in July 2003 found that 92 percent of the public believes that genetically modified foods should be labeled. As ABC News states, "Such near-unanimity in public opinion is rare." I hope you will stand behind the clear will of the American people on this issue.

Citizens from around the world have called upon their governments to label GE foods, and more than two dozen industrialized nations have either passed or enacted labeling requirements. These countries include the 15 nations that make up the European Union, as well as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and many others. Even China has agreed to label GE foods. The U.S. government should enact similar labeling legislation in our country to protect the right of citizens to know about their food.

The American Association of Retired People, Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, Sierra Club and numerous other national, regional and local organizations support mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods. Please support my right to know about the food I eat by co-sponsoring H.R. 2916.