Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the systemic herbicide formulation Roundup®, as well as in several generic “glyphosate-based herbicides” (GBHs).
These herbicides are applied around the world to most of the acres where genetically engineered (GE) crops are grown, and glyphosate is now the most heavily used pesticide active ingredient in the world. In fact, no pesticide in history has ever come close to the volume of glyphosate sprayed by farmers worldwide in 2015.
GBHs are also often used right before harvest in conventional agriculture systems to hasten the drying down of crops, so that harvest operations can begin before bad weather sets in. These so-called “green-burndown” uses leave markedly higher residues in harvested grains, beans, and oil crops, and have brought about a sharp increase in glyphosate dietary exposures since around 2000.
Monsanto claims on its website that glyphosate is fully tested and safe for humans, animals, and our pets because:
“It works by disrupting a plant enzyme involved in the production of amino acids that are essential to plant growth. The enzyme, EPSP synthase, is not present in humans or animals, contributing to the low risk to human health from the use of glyphosate according to label directions.”[1]
This statement is only partially true. It fails to acknowledge research evidence that links exposure to GBHs to cancer, chronic liver and kidney disease, and damage to DNA in cells. Some of these effects have been reported in animal studies at doses well below regulatory limits. It also ignores recent evidence that glyphosate’s antibacterial activity may be altering the microbiome in the gut of animals, including humans.

Birth defects from glyphosate

Studies have shown that in some regions where GBHs are heavily used, glyphosate is present in the natural environment, drinking water, and food at levels sufficient to have triggered adverse cellular disruption and developmental abnormalities in people.
Glyphosate causes birth defects in many vertebrates including humans. Dr. Andrés Carrasco, an embryologist and the former director of the molecular embryology laboratory at the University of Buenos Aires, demonstrated in the laboratory how glyphosate causes birth defects in frogs, chickens, and mice.[2]
Glyphosate over-stimulates the retinoic acid (vitamin A) signaling pathway, and this causes errors in gene sequencing during early fetal development.[3]

Glyphosate (probably) causes cancer

In a surprising development with global repercussions, on March 20, 2015 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.”[4]
The World Health Organization set up the IARC to take on a vital task – alerting the world to the known, probable, and possible causes of cancer. The IARC has developed a highly refined, transparent, and data-driven process for evaluating all available data on the possible links between chemicals or lifestyle factors (like sunlight or smoking) and cancer.
The IARC’s mission and mandate is to identify whether science supports a link between a chemical, for example, and the incidence of a specific cancer. It relies on three sorts of data: animal toxicology studies, epidemiology studies on exposed human populations, and mechanistic studies designed to detect cellular or genetic damage that can be a first step toward cancer.
The IARC identifies cancer risk factors, but it does not strive to quantify risk. Quantifying cancer risk is difficult and very data intensive because several additional factors must be taken into account including exposure levels and timing, other exposures and the general health of an exposed population.
Bringing together evidence from human populations, laboratory animals, and studies using human cells exposed to glyphosate, the IARC concluded that glyphosate is a “probable” human carcinogen. Their conclusion is even more worrisome in light of the fact that human exposures to glyphosate are will almost inevitably rise in many parts of the world for years to come.[5]

Additional concerns

Glyphosate can trigger a number of other harmful effects.

  • It is an endocrine disruptor[6],[7] and promotes the growth of breast cancer cells.[8]
  • It inhibits key enzymes necessary for normal human biochemistry.[9]
  • It works as an antibiotic and may disrupt gut bacteria,[10],[11] and therefore possibly the health and functioning of the human GI (gastro-intestinal) tract.

© 2015 GMO Science. All Rights Reserved

References

  1. http://www.monsanto.com/products/documents/glyphosate-background-materials/back_history.pdf.
  2. Paganelli A, Gnazzo V, Acosta H, López SL, Carrasco AE.Glyphosate-based herbicides produce teratogenic effects on vertebrates by impairing retinoic acid signaling. Chem Res Toxicol. 2010;23(10):1586-95.
  3. Carrasco AE. “Teratogenesis by glyphosate based herbicides and other pesticides: Relationship with the retinoic acid pathway,” in Breckling B, Verhoeven R. 2013. GM-Crop Cultivation – Ecological Effects on a Landscape Scale. Theorie in der Ökologie 17. Frankfurt, Peter Lang. Also available at http://www.gmls.eu/beitraege/113_Carrasco.pdf
  4. http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/iarcnews/pdf/MonographVolume112.pdf.
  5. Landrigan PG, Benbrook C. GMOs, Herbicides, and Public Health. N Engl J Med. 2015; 373(8):693-5.
  6. Gasnier C, Dumont C, Benachour N, Clair E, Chagnon MC, Séralini GE. Glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic and endocrine disruptors in human cell lines. Toxicology August 2009, 262(3):184-91.
  7. Clair E, Mesnage R, Travert C, Séralini GÉ. A glyphosate-based herbicide induces necrosis and apoptosis in mature rat testicular cells in vitro, and testosterone decrease at lower levels. Toxicol In Vitro. 2012 Mar;26(2):269-79.
  8. Thongprakaisang S, Thiantanawat A, Rangkadilok N, Suriyo T, Satayavivad J. Glyphosate induces human breast cancer cells growth via estrogen receptors. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013; 59:129-36.
  9. Abass K, Turpeinen M, Pelkonen O. An evaluation of the cytochrome P450 inhibition potential of selected pesticides in human hepatic microsomes.J Environ Sci Health 2009; 44(6):553-63.
  10. Shehata AA, Schrödl W, Aldin AA, Hafez HM, Krüger M. The effect of glyphosate on potential pathogens and beneficial members of poultry microbiota in vitro.Curr Microbiol. 2013;66(4):350-8.
  11. Krüger M, Shehata AA, Schrödl W, Rodloff A.Glyphosate suppresses the antagonistic effect of Enterococcus spp on Clostridium botulinum. Anaerobe. 2013;20:74-8.

Media censorship is driving the continuation of cognitive dissonance - the millions of people who still rely on mainstream.

@stkirsch got a piece accepted support of MAHA into the media, axed the day before release due to their "editorial board".

Mexican ban of #GMO white corn wins wide public support. Mexico is more than self-sufficient in the production of GMO-free white corn for human consumption. Its domestic production is GMO free thanks to a ban on harvesting GMO seeds in 2005 https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202304/02/WS64294a81a31057c47ebb7e68.html

Load More

V-Symposium Recordings:

GMOScience is offering these 2 days of recordings from April 2023 free of charge, featuring five of the top doctors, scientist, and attorney who are on the front lines, working with people experiencing adverse effects and injury from vaccine exposure and Long Covid. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation of any amount to support our work.

Contact Us

Contact

Related Posts

The National Citizens Inquiry

The National Citizens Inquiry

The National Citizens Inquiry

December 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

GMOScience Speaks on Behalf of our Children and Food Safety

Over the past two years, a citizen-led and independently funded initiative was established, The National Citizens Inquiry, to amplify the voices of ordinary Canadian citizens and document their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating outside of government influence, this initiative sought to understand the events that unfolded and develop recommendations to ensure that future crises are managed with minimal harm to the public.

The inquiry was structured by dedicated volunteers, featuring two main branches: An Administrative team to oversee operations and a panel of Commissioners responsible for conducting the inquiries and producing detailed reports.

read more
Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire

Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire (PEHQ)

August 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

Assessing the Top Ten Toxic Exposures in Children

The Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire (PEHQ) is a tool for practitioners and parents to aid in assessing children at risk of harm due to environmental toxicants. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, but a screening aid to identify at-risk children and create awareness regarding a prominent and overlooked contributor to chronic health issues.

The questions evaluate the ten most likely sources of childhood environmental toxicants and should be included as part of a complete intake in all children in clinical settings, as well as by parents at home.

It is of primary importance to reduce exposure and the toxic load. Children have increased susceptibility and toxicity from exposures far greater than adults due to their size, childhood behaviors (i.e., exploring their world hand-to-mouth), and lowered detoxification abilities as compared to adults.

read more
Get the Lead Out

Get the Lead Out

Time to Rock and Roll: Get the Lead Out!

June 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org

We are at the fork in the road — do we really want to protect our children or are we at an attitude of platitude?

The Infant Formula Toxic Metal Study Getting Press

Moms Across America, The New MDS, and GMOScience, banded together and did the work of regulatory agencies. We’ve confirmed what officials already knew; infant formula, the only food for many babies, is contaminated and it has been given a pass.

However, this David and Goliath tale has not gone unnoticed and has been picked up by global news agencies, including Dr. Mercola, The Exposé, Children’s Health Defense, and The Townsend Letter. Additionally, the FDA has made recommendations to Congress regarding the Safe Baby Food Act based on our joint meeting regarding our findings in May 2024.

Millions of parents are now becoming aware of the toxic metal contamination in the formulas that they are feeding their most vulnerable and immediate action must occur to rectify this situation.

read more