A University of Minnesota study found families of farmers who use pesticides have higher rates of birth defects than urban families. The study looked at almost 700 Red River Valley farm families . Researchers say however the study did not establish a direct link between pesticides and the birth defects.

University of Minnesota researcher Dr. Vincent Garry says the study found birth defects at a rate of 31 babies per 1,000 live births. That compares with 18 babies with defects per 1,000 births in the metro areas. The farm families studied live in Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman and Polk counties. Garry says the study revealed a broad range of birth defects.

"The question for us," he says, "is, what's driving it? And there, the level of certainty goes down hill pretty quick."

Garry says the study does not show a definitive link between exposure to farm chemicals and birth defects.

"A number of issues could be there," he says. "Anything from, what are the natural trace elements in the water supply in the valley? And what effects they could have? And to, God knows what? I mean there's just a myriad of possibilities."

Dr. Garry says diet could also be a factor. He's quick to point out the study raises as many questions as it answers.

For Mark Beedy, who farms near Moorhead, those questions are about health care. He wonders, for example, if women in rural areas get adequate pre-natal screening.

Beedy hopes research in the area continues. He doesn't want people to get the impression that farmers are careless with pesticides.

"We usually are the first ones that get the finger pointed at us."

He says pesticides are expensive, and farmers are careful.

"We're not going to waste it the price of this stuff," he says. "And you know, you're not going to do anything to jeopardize your own safety, or your families, or anybody elses for that matter."

The study is published in a June supplement to the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Dr. Vincent Garry says the University of Minnesota is seeking funding for additional research.