MELBA, Idaho A former Purdue University professor says it will be a few more months before he can support his claim that Roundup Ready technology is responsible for the proliferation of a previously unknown microscopic organism he says causes plant diseases and livestock abortions.

A sample of the organism was sent to a lab in March for sequencing so the organism could have its characteristics clearly identified, said Don Huber, the retired Purdue professor.

However, a contaminant was found in the sample, so we had to take more time to get the material that is required, Huber said.

Huber told the Capital Press in April the sequencing data could be ready in May but now says the delay means the results and evidence to support his claims are at least a couple of months away. 

Its just a slow process, he said July 15 from his home here. Were trying to make sure there is no glitch in the procedure. Its going to take more patience than some of us have.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Jan. 17, Huber claimed that a team of scientists has discovered a new organism linked to Roundup Ready technology that causes disease in some crops and is linked to spontaneous abortions and infertility in livestock. Hubers letter, which he said was not meant for public distribution, was widely circulated on the Internet.

He said he isnt philosophically opposed to genetically modified crops, but he has asked the USDA to declare a moratorium on the further deregulation of crops genetically modified to resist glyphosate herbicides such as Roundup, which is sold by Monsanto.  

Given the alleged dangers surrounding the newly identified organism  his letter said the organism could lead to a general collapse of our critical agriculture infrastructure Huber said he believed it would be prudent to err on the side of caution until further research can exonerate the Roundup Ready system. 

Huber, a University of Idaho graduate and professor emeritus of plant pathology at Purdue, said the organism is found naturally in the soil. But its found in much higher concentrations in Roundup Ready corn and soybeans, he claimed, suggesting a link to the Roundup Ready gene.

Hubers claims have come under fire from Monsanto and other scientists, including colleagues at Purdue, who have questioned why he has not released supporting evidence for peer review.

Huber said he understood the criticism but he believed the issue was so serious that he needed to send the letter to Vilsack first. He said the evidence will be released as soon as the sequencing data is ready.

In response to Hubers letter, a top USDA official pointed out that Roundup Ready alfalfa was approved following a thorough and transparent examination.

In a May 2 letter to Huber, Gregory Parham, administrator of USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said APHIS reviewed the necessary and relevant scientific data and found no plant pest risk association with Roundup Ready alfalfa.

However, Parham also told Huber that if he has any data, documented research or any evidence otherwise of a newly discovered pathogen, and/or a link between this pathogen to a Roundup Ready gene or Roundup herbicide, I encourage you to provide it for review.

Huber said that during a trip to Washington, D.C., earlier this month, he had some pretty receptive ears and he was encouraged to submit grant proposals to study the issue further.

He has declined to release the names of his fellow researchers or people who are supporting the effort because he fears political pressure could torpedo the project before its completed. He has declined to disclose the lab that is testing his samples.

There are a fair number of people that are recognizing theres something there, he said. Theyre not sure what it is, but at least they feel the need to pursue it.

Paul Vincelli, a plant pathology professor at the University of Kentucky, said he has spoken with the person attempting to characterize the organism and has reviewed some of the research on the topic.

He said he is not surprised by the delay but he also said the scientific community will continue to be rightfully skeptical about Hubers claims until evidence is released. 

Anything controversial like this should be vetted through the scientific process … so people can evaluate the data for themselves, he said. Yes, skepticism is appropriate.

Mark Duffin, executive director of the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association, said hes skeptical of Hubers claims but is willing to allow the evidence to speak for itself. 

Virtually all sugar beets grown in the United States have Roundup Ready genes.

The industry is watching and will review the science involved in his research; we want to follow sound science, Duffin said. But there are a lot of questions still.