Carcinogenic? Monsanto presses for revocation

New evaluation of the herbicide glyphosate as „probably carcinogenic“

03/27/2015

After scientists from the cancer research agency IARC the World Health Organization (WHO) in the prestigious journal „The Lancet Oncology“ have published the results of a review of the herbicide glyphosate as „probably carcinogenic to humans“ describes the manufacturer Monsanto, according to the news agency „Reuters“ a cancellation of this review. „We question the quality of the rating“, Philip Miller, Monsanto Vice President for Global Regulatory Affairs, is quoted by the news agency.

Glyphosate is part of the herbicide „Roundup“, that counts among the best sellers at Monsanto. At the same time, the company offers a range of genetically engineered plants, which are subject to the use of „Roundup“ can not harm. The so-called „Roundup ready“-Plants do not suffer from the use of the herbicide, so that a large-scale use can be made. However, in humans, glyphosate, according to the IARC experts, certainly has a critical effect. The scientists come after the analysis of existing studies to the conclusion that glyphosate of hazard group 2A - „probably carcinogenic to humans“ - be assigned.

Doubts about the revaluation of the herbicide
In the trade magazine „The Lancet Oncology“So far only a summary of the study results has been published. However, Monsanto has already called for a revocation, on the grounds that this is contradicted previous findings that assess the drug glyphosate as safe, as long as the use is carried out according to the specifications. The IARC has largely ignored scientific data submitted by Monsanto on the safety of glyphosate, the company alleges. The herbicide was evaluated by an IARC working group consisting of international experts selected on the basis of their expertise and without any conflicts of interest, according to the WHO Cancer Research Agency. The 17 scientists from 11 countries analyzed 112 studies and met in Lyon from 3 to 10 March for a final evaluation.

Evaluation of glyphosate by an international panel of experts
The 17 experts came from institutions such as the University of Bordeaux in France, the National Cancer Institute in the USA, Tarapaca University in Chile, U.S.A. Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Health Service of the Lazio Region in Italy, the Australian Curtin University, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in the US, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, the European Chemicals Agency in Finland or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An observer from Monsanto was also present, according to the WHO Cancer Research Agency, and all observers had to agree to respect the IARC guidelines and not influence the assessment or the experts. They were denied any form of lobbying, including the provision of written materials or favors such as lunching.

Use of glyphosate widely used
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide with currently the highest production of all herbicides. According to the researchers, it is used in more than 750 different products for agriculture and forestry, but also for home applications. Residues of the herbicide can be detected after spraying in the air, in the water but also on food, the IARC scientists continue to report. Glyphosate was also found in blood and urine by farm workers. The use of the herbicide has greatly increased with the development of genetically modified glyphosate-resistant plant varieties. But not only in fields with „Roundup ready“-Plants uses glyphosate for weed killing. Conventional agriculture, private individuals, as well as cities and towns, also often rely on the herbicide. The evaluation has now been carried out by the IARC as „probably carcinogenic“ should encourage rethinking here - hence probably the immediate response of Monsanto.

Ban on herbicide required
Dave Schubert, head of the cellular neurobiology lab at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, told the news agency „Reuters“, that „There are a number of independent, published manuscripts that clearly show that glyphosate (...) promotes cancer and tumor growth.“ Therefore, the herbicide should be immediately banned. Monsanto comes here to a fundamentally different assessment, but the situation seems relatively clear given the current assessment by the IARC experts. It remains to be seen, however, to what extent Monsanto succeeds in calling for revocation. (Fp)