Representative Peter DeFazio
2134 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative DeFazio,

In the 108th Congress, you were a co-sponsor of HR 2916, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. Thank you!

Representative Dennis Kucinich (OH-10th) will soon re-introduce this same legislation before the 109th Congress as the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. I am writing you now to ask you to become a co-sponsor at the time of re-introduction in order to get maximum support for this important consumer legislation.

It is shocking that the FDA considers genetically engineered foods "substantially equivalent" to non-genetically engineered foods. Genetically engineered crops contain antibiotic-resistant marker genes, viral promoters and foreign proteins never before consumed by humans. These are not found in crops produced through normal means of hybridization.

Further, the FDA is not testing these products itself. The agency is relying on edited summaries provided by the very companies that have a financial interest in bringing these biotech crops to market. And under current FDA law, the companies are not even required to provide summaries!

Labeling is essential for me to choose whether or not I want to consume genetically engineered foods. Genetically engineered foods are required to be labeled in the European Union nations, plus Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries around the world. As an American, I firmly believe I should also have that right to know if my foods have been
genetically engineered.

A poll released July 15, 2003 by ABC News found that 92 percent of the American public wants the federal government to require mandatory labeling on genetically modified foods. The figure was 93 percent in a poll ABC News conducted in 2001, so support for mandatory labeling is strong and consistent. As ABC News stated, "Such near-unanimity in public opinion is rare."

Please contact Representative Kucinich's office and let him know you wish to co-sponsor the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. Thank you!

Sincerely,
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