I am writing to inform your readership of a significant risk to their health. At least 33 different genetically altered whole foods — many more are in development — are currently being sold without identifying labels. These include potatoes, tomatoes, soy, corn, squash and other fruits and vegetables to which a variety of new genes from different species have been added. They have then been used in processed foods and are now found in such mass consumed products as corn chips and soy-based baby formula. Because the Food and Drug Administration does not require labeling, millions of American infants, children and adults are consuming genetically engineered products each day without their knowledge.

On a purely medical basis, this is a very real threat to the health of people with allergies. As a spiritual matter, many Americans feel the process irresponsibly and arrogantly disrupts the integrity of God’s creation.

There is a lawsuit pending against the FDA to obtain mandatory safety testing and labeling of all genetically engineered foods. To help win this legal battle, there are several ways in which you can help. The Alliance for Bio-Integrity (202-547-9359) is the plaintiff that filed the lawsuit. On Oct. 15 there is a rally outside the EPA in Boston (434-6228 or 564-2459). Lastly, Mothers for Natural Law (515-472-2809) has a petition drive to collect one million signatures by Thanksgiving. Robert Lodato, M.D. Dover-Foxcroft