Avoiding evidence about cancer (linked to Glyphosate of course)

October 2021

Because humans can't be subjected to experimentation, regulators assessing the safety of a chemical have to weigh whatever other, imperfect, evidence they have at their disposal. Safety assessment is particularly challenging when dealing with a possible carcinogen, such as glyphosate herbicide [1]. It's even trickier, it seems, when the chemical is, like glyphosate, a major money-spinner produced by the powerful biotech industry for use on its commodity GM crops [2].

There are two important types of evidence available to regulators: laboratory experiments using animal models, and epidemiological studies. Neither can yield definitive conclusions, and their limitations are particularly evident in investigations of suspected carcinogens.

The shortcomings of animal models stem from the biology of cancers.

2,4-D on the menu too

October 2021

If you've just been reading about the two latest GM-crop-linked, cancer-causing herbicides to add to the glyphosate formulations already in use globally [1,2,3,4], don't relax, here's another one to worry about.

Last year, China approved Corteva's* 'Enlist' GM soya for importation. This secured a place for Enlist crops, plus the herbicide 2,4-D they're designed to be sprayed with, in US fields. It was described by GM seed suppliers, MS Technologies, as "great news for US soybean growers".

*Corteva Agriscience is a division of DowDupont

A former research professor who now works as a consultant for environmental groups said "2,4-D could by-pass glyphosate as the most widely used pesticide within a couple of years".

2,4-D and its sister chemical, 2,4,5-T, were two of several substances developed by Britain and America as herbicidal weapons during World War II. These two were formulated for use in equal quantities and were later packed in colour-coded containers to become known as 'Agent Orange'.

Isoxaflutole - The Next Herbicide Headache?

October 2021

In the 1990s, agrichemical giant, Bayer, was developing its own herbicide/GM-crop package to compete with Monsanto's hugely successful glyphosate and 'Roundup Ready' GM soya. However, as part of the Bayer-Monsanto merger deal, the company was required to off-load this product. The outcome, approved for the market in 2020, was isoxaflutole-resistant GM soya now produced by its new owner, BASF.

Isoxaflutole is a newcomer in the world of herbicides and is recognised as a probable human carcinogen because it induces liver and thyroid tumours in rodents. This herbicide is potentially toxic to the liver, blood and eyes, and may have negative developmental effects. It's pretty good at drifting, and is persistent and mobile in the environment, possibly accumulating in ground water.

All this may sound like a good reason not to approve isoxaflutole nor the GM crops designed to escalate its use. 

Dicamba - Worse Than Glyphosate

October 2021 

 

After all the whitewashing of glyphosate herbicide revealed when its manufacturer, Monsanto, was taken to court by users who now have cancer [1], it should come as no surprise that dicamba herbicide [2] looks like being a re-run of the same story.