The result of a preliminary study conducted by a Norwegian scientist on blood samples taken last year from 38 tribal residents of Sitio Kalyong in Barangay Landan, Polomok town in South Cotabato yielded positive of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin.

But Dr. Terje Traavik, a genetic engineer for about 25 years, clarified that "the results of the preliminary tests are not yet conclusive."

He asked residents not to be misled by the claims made by the proponents of gene-altered crops.

Unreliable

He said genetic engineering is not reliable and unpredictable.

"There's no literature or scientific studies that could prove GMO safeness to human health and environment," he said.

On July 25 last year, at least 51 residents living within the 100-meter radius of the Bt corn field test area of multinational seed giant Monsanto Philippines complained of headache, flu, nausea, fatigue and skin allergies prompting them to seek assistance from the Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Marbel.

Residents claimed that they experienced such illnesses during the two-week flowering stage of Bt-corn planted by Monsanto in the area.

In August last year, a medical mission was spearheaded by the Justice and Peace desk with the help of the local health officials in South Cotabato to determine the causes of the disease.

"Antibodies in the blood samples taken showed that these people have been exposed to the Bt toxin," Traavik said.

Exposure

The Norwegian genetic engineer said the tribal people were exposed to the Bt toxin for months but whether that was the cause of their diseases has yet to be determined.

But Samuel Malayon, one of those who underwent the Medical tests, told reporters that it was the first time the villagers were hit by such kinds of unusual illnesses.

Traavik, who was then conducting an independent research on Bt-corn in South Cotabato, heard about the incident and voluntarily offered his expertise in analyzing the blood samples of the affected residents.

On Oct. 12 last year, the specimens were sent to Traavik's laboratory at the University of Tromso in Norway.

Traavik, through the help of the Justice and Peace Desk and other groups opposing GMOs, called for a press conference here on Wednesday morning where he revealed the results if his tests.