Altered Produce

Re “Scary Days for Freer Trade,” editorial, June 18: To say that science has found little wrong with genetically altered produce is a distortion of the truth. Many scientists are very concerned. The fact is that genetically modified food is taking over the marketplace without any rigorous safety testing.

There is no special labeling to tell consumers that they are buying altered food. We are all guinea pigs in a massive profit-oriented biotech experiment. Will the food affect us negatively over the long term or cause allergic reactions? No one can answer these questions.

However, genetically engineered food production is already disturbing the ecosystem, polluting the environment (much of the biotech research is aimed at the development of crops that can tolerate greater amounts of herbicides) and making unpredictable, permanent changes in the nature of food. Europeans are rightfully alarmed. We should also be alarmed. In the meantime, I opt for organic food.

MARTIN ZUCKER, Los Angeles