Recently, an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup, a popular weed killer, might cause cancer. Thirty years ago, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the same thing. However, in 1991, EPA changed their decision and said that roundup is non carcinogenic for humans. WHO recently came up with their conclusion based off of the same mouse study that caused EPA to changed theirs. The maker of Roundup, Monsanto is angry and accusing the agency of having an ulterior motive, and that they are picking certain data in support of its claim. Monsanto's VP said that WHO's claim goes against other studies that has tested glyphosate's safety. The recent claim demonstrates the different interpretations for the same data, and how politically complicated a change in decisions can be. Glyphosate is not only used in Roundup but in other generic products as well since its introduction in 1970 because it was considered to be non harmful in comparison to other pesticides. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment said it was still evaluating whether glyphosate and products containing it is labeled as a cancer hazard. Some groups use this controversy in its favor to enforce the labeling of genetically modified foods (GMOs). They also want the EPA to re-evaluate glyphosate and 2,4-D, another herbicide. The different in interpretation comes form what questions and answers each agency is looking for. Currently, there is only a brief paper that has published WHO's conclusion, so it is hard to say what the thought process was behind it. Monsanto said that something can be considered carcinogenic even though it has very few evidence for a positive study.
I think the findings of this study show that there are good points from both side. I believe that Monsanto is angry because this finding, if taken seriously, will impact his company. I am glad that the WHO agency brought this topic back up because pesticide is used everyday, and a product should not continued to be used if it is not safe. I think that the WHO agency has the people's best interest while the company behind Roundup does not have the people's best interest.
Link 1: Original Article
Link 2: Supplement
I agree that both sides make good and bad points. I think both parties need to come together and take this matter very seriously, as it has a devastating large scope affect. I think further research needs to be done. Glyphosate has been so commonly used by people but we don't know how it can affect a person. Besides, a rats immune system is very different from ours
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