Evidence of contamination

4. MYTH - The samples that registered positive to GE were due to soil contamination.

FACT - The final assessment of all of the results considered and dismissed the possibility of dirty samples creating "false positives". Also, at least one sample that registered positive for GE was from an unopened seed bag and could not have been contaminated by soil.

Evidence

Allegations have been made that the positive results from Crop and Food were due to soil contamination. However in a logged conversation between Crop and Food and ERMA representatives on 15 November 2000, laboratory representative Dr Gail Timmerman ruled out the possibility of soil contamination. The logged note states:

"Crop and Food did not notice any soil remaining on washed sample. Would perhaps need a lot of bacteria in the washed sample to give a false positive signal. So assume that the result is not due to contaminations by bacteria."

Dr Hannah looked at the positive test results and determined that lab error or dirty samples resulting in 'false positives' was unlikely because the labs ran identical tests on 'controls' (on seeds known to be GE free). The controls registered negative while the Lot NC9114 seeds registered positive .

Three samples were sent to GeneScan during the second round of testing . One of these was from an unopened bag and so could not have been contaminated by soil.

Some results from other unopened bags have not been revealed. The results from the sample sent to the USA during the second round of testing was also from an unopened bag. No results have been supplied for this sample.