Glyphosate protest: CC photo credit Corporate Europe Observatory on Flickr |
Another ominous facet of glyphosate nuerotoxicity has been
revealed by Argentinian scientists. Their study examined the effect of the
herbicide on the development of rat embryonic nerve cells.
Nerve cells produce long signal-carrying extensions ('axons') which connect up with other nerve cells. They also produce multiple lesser branches ('dendrites') which link to many other cells to form a vast communications network. The connections between nerve cells are highly specialised and structured for fast transmission of vital signals to the next part of the system.
What the Argentinians found was that glyphosate exposure
slowed axon growth, reduced the nerve-cells' capacity for a smooth one-way
flow of signals, and impaired
development of branches.
A closer look at the connective structures on the neural
extensions revealed a reduced size and a disruption of their structural
proteins. Note that the one-way flow of
signals is also dependent on the integrity of these same proteins.
In tracing the underlying cause of these glyphosate-linked
developmental failings, the scientists discovered significant reductions in the
levels of 'Wnt' proteins which serve as signals to the nerve cells to
tell them when and how to develop.
'Wnts' are known to be involved in nerve cell
extension and branching, and in structural protein organisation all of which
decline with exposure to glyphosate.
These proteins are also important in embryo development,
including the early stages of the central nervous system. Exceptional levels of central nervous system
defects have frequently been reported by doctors in areas of high-glyphosate
usage in Argentina.
Then, there's the calcium connection. Glyphosate's interference with cellular
calcium and many related processes is a recurrent theme [4,5]. Cellular calcium is important in learning
processes and memory, and in the integrity of the nerve circuits and
connections. Some 'Wnts' are also
involved in calcium regulation inside cells.
OUR COMMENT
Even the most ardent fan of GM crops can't ignore the human,
societal and financial costs of dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. If there's any possibility at all that
glyphosate accumulated by most GM crops is contributing to this burden of
diseases in old age, regulators and scientists
need to stop being polite to the biotech industry and start testing
as a matter of urgency.
Give your regulators some encouragement.
Background:
[1] HOW MUCH DISEASE IS ROUNDUP CAUSING? - December 2014
[2] GLYPHOSATE AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE - March 2015
[3] BEES WITH DEMENTIA - September 2015
[4] HOW GLYPHOSATE COULD BE LINKED TO CANCER - January 2014
[5] SAME ROUNDUP,DIFFERENT HARM - May 2014
SOURCE:
·
Dr. Eva Sirinathsinghji, Glyphosate Causes
Irreversible Abnormal Growth & Delayed Development of Embryonic Rat
Neuronal Cells, Institute of Science in Society Report 20.01.16
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