Senator Sam Brownback
303 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Brownback,

I am writing to ask you to support and co-sponsor legislation to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.

A bill called the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act will soon be introduced before the House of Representatives. Please work to get a matching bill in the U.S. Senate.

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 legislation to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. Thank you!

Sincerely,
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