----- Original Message ----- From: Laurel Hopwood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 4:55 AM Subject: STOP the release of genetically engineered PHARM crops
> Action alert and please forward... > > Without public debate, food crops are being used to create genetically > engineered pharmaceutical drugs and industrial chemicals! It's called > "pharming." > > Three hundred (300) open-air field trials have already been conducted in > unidentified locations across the country. While most of these substances > are kept secret as confidential business information, a few known examples > include a contraceptive, potent growth hormones, blood thinners, industrial > enzymes, and vaccines. > The ecological implications of hacked genetic code slipping into our food > and forests and multiplying is worse than a bad computer virus! > > CONTACT THE FDA AND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS > (* see sample messages) > > * SAMPLE LETTER TO FDA: > (FDA DEADLINE: Jan 10, 2003.) > > Food and Drug Administration > Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305) > 5600 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061 > Rockville, MD 20852 > > Re: Docket No. 02D-0324 > > I am writing to express my profound concern over the policy that allows > food crops to be used to create genetically engineered pharmaceutical drugs > and industrial chemicals. > > There must be a total ban on open-field testing of all transgenic "pharm" > crops. > Pharm production should take place only within totally enclosed facilities > with high security, and only if pollen spread can be prevented. > > If grown at all, > * Licenses to bioengineer common food or feed crops for pharmacologic > production should not be granted. > * All guidances should be mandatory, not "strongly recommended." > * No permits should be granted until there is a requirement that the > biotechnology industry assumes all liability for > potential losses to farmers, human health, and the environment. > * There should be no "confidential business information" exclusions > involving any transgenic crops grown experimentally or commercially. > > Thank you for your attention, > (your name, address and date) > > * SAMPLE MESSAGE TO ELECTED OFFICIAL: > > Dear Honorable... > I am writing to express my profound concern over the policy that allows > food crops to be used to create genetically engineered pharmaceutical drugs > and industrial chemicals. > I don't want pharm crops ending up in the food I feel my family! > I urge you to mandate a moratorium on the outdoor release of all transgenic > "pharm" crops. > > Address letters to: > Senate: Washington, D.C. 20510 > U.S. House of Representatives: Washington, D.C. 20515 > or email via: > Senators - http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm > House of Representative - http://www.house.gov/writerep > or call: > US Capitol Switchboard - (202) 224-3121 > > Laurel Hopwood, Sierra Club Genetic Engineering Committee member > http://www.sierraclub.org/biotech/ > > > s'o > >
