Source: Aris A, S Leblanc. 2011. Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides associated to genetically modifed foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. Reproductive Toxicology 31(4):528-33.
Blood samples from pregnant and non pregnant women, as well as from umbilical cords taken at birth, were tested for herbicide residues and for Bt proteins, which are made in some GM crops in order to resist insects.
The main reasons why this paper fails:
- Aside from eating raw corn, there are no sources where the Bt protein could have come from, other than organic produce.
- The detection test used is known not to work on blood samples.
- Even if it did work, the levels of Bt protein found were below the level where the test works reliably.
Additional expert assessments:
- Response from Food Standards Australia and New Zealand [the FDA equivalent for Australia & New Zealand]
- Analysis by Marcel Kuntz, Director of Research, French National Centre for Scientific Research
- General information on Bt overall safety, by the EPA