Please Co-Sponsor the
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act

Representative Rob Bishop
124 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Bishop,

I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor and support, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. This legislation will soon be introduced before the 110th Congress by Representative Dennis Kucinich.

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 recent report funded by the USDA and conducted by Rutgers University found that 89% of the American public feel genetically engineered foods should be required to be labeled. Only 10% felt labeling should not be required. Therefore, co-sponsoring this bill will only be doing what the vast majority of American citizens are requesting our government provide for these controversial foods.

Please write me back and let me know if you will co-sponsor and support the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. Thank you!

Sincerely,
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House Form Letter

Please Support H.R. 4814, the
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act of 2002

Representative James V. Hansen
242 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Hansen,

I am writing to ask you to support and co-sponsor H.R. 4814, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act of 2002.

Public opinion polls consistently show that the great majority of Americans-both Democrats and Republicans-want genetically engineered foods to be labeled. I hope you will stand behind the clear will of the American people on this issue.

For example, a survey by ABC News conducted June 13-17, 2001 found that 93 percent of the public believes that genetically modified foods should be labeled. As ABC News states, "Such near-unanimity in public opinion is rare."

Citizens from around the world have called upon their governments to label genetically engineered 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 genetically engineered foods. The U.S. government should enact similar labeling legislation in our country to protect the right of citizens to know about their food.

A growing number of organizations in the United States and around the world are calling for the labeling of genetically engineered foods.

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 write back to me and let me know you support my right to know about the food I eat by co-sponsoring H.R. 4814.

Thank you!

Sincerely,
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