A new scientific study, analyzing the existence and severity of carcinogenic properties in glyphosate herbicides, has returned some damning results. These pesticides, which account for the majority of weed killer products worldwide, were associated with a 41% increase in the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The authors of the research said the evidence “supports a compelling link” between exposure to this particular group of pesticides and a marked increase in the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, they sounded a more cautious note regarding the specific numbers. The 41% figure is unlikely to be exactly right; the actual answer is likely slightly larger or smaller.
Mounting Evidence
The research runs counter to the longstanding assertions of the Environmental Protection Agency that the weed killer is safe and exposure poses no threat to human health. However, it confirms the fears of a growing number of countries who are considering banning glyphosate-based weed killers entirely.
Monsanto and Bayer AG, its German owner, are facing an onslaught of lawsuits in the US from patients suffering non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma following exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides developed by the multinational. The first plaintiff who went to trial in what was described as a landmark case was able to secure a unanimous jury verdict in his favor. Monsanto is appealing the verdict while waiting for a raft of other cases to go to trial. The company maintains its position that there is no legitimate scientific research showing that its products are dangerous; it rejects the assertion that there is a definitive link between the two and refers to an EPA report that found it was “not likely” that a link existed.
Deflection Tactics
In fact, Monsanto has gone as far as accusing the scientists of professional impropriety, claiming that they engaged in improper conduct and sought to confirm existing biases rather than pursue the objective truth. There is no evidence to suggest any scientist behaved improperly, nor that they or the institutions they represent, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, sought to distort or manipulate data.
The new analysis adds to the growing pile of evidence that supports the scientists and the potentially thousands of victims of a corporate cover-up now suffering from a vicious disease. If you think you might be suffering from cancer owing to Monsanto’s products, you should check out this website.
Public Interest
In the wake of Boeing’s Max 8 scandal, and the public outcry following revelations that two crashes in which hundreds of people died might have ultimately been caused by Boeing’s cost-cutting measures, there is a renewed debate about how we hold multinational corporations to account when their negligence, indifference or malice causes harm or death.
The authors of this new study believe that it represents a much stronger case than has previously been made in other meta-analyses. Against a backdrop of a growing number of courtroom judgments against Monsanto, this evidence is even more compelling. With a renewed debate regarding corporate accountability emerging, these findings are important and timely.
Monsanto continues to protest its innocence. However, the growing evidence of a cover-up and deliberate misleading of regulatory authorities is certainly concerning. As time goes on, it is becoming harder and harder to accept Monsanto’s version of events.
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