I can relate to a letter from Dennis Lawson dated July 22, where he states his frustration in convincing people of the facts surrounding Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide containing glyphosate. So I have included some conclusions of scientific studies concerning the toxicity of these ubiquitous glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) sprayed by the ton all over Hawaii, including all our roadsides, golf courses, home gardens, and large agricultural lands.
So here goes, let’s inject some science into the discussion. This was from one cursory internet search. “There exists extensive scientific literature documenting doses at which glyphosate, either alone or in combination with adjuvants and surfactants, has been shown to be harmful. Its effects include endocrine disruption, alteration of populations of gut microbes, reproductive harm, DNA damage, liver damage,kidney damage,and cancer promotion. Glyphosate also inhibits the action of CYP2C9, an enzyme in the human liver responsible for the breakdown of a pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid (arachidonic acid), as well as over 100 drugs commonly used in the clinical setting, such as certain blood thinners.
Glyphosate has also been found to cause oxidative damage in the liver of pregnant rats and their fetuses.Damage has also been caused to brain cells, specifically cells from a part of the brain called thesubstantia nigra which is involved in the etiology of Parkinson’s disease.
Liver damage was also observed in rats fed small, environmentally relevant doses of GBH over both 3-month and 2-year periods.The changes observable at 3 months, the standard time used for sub-chronic safety screening, were interpreted as clinically irrelevant, but longer exposures revealed an apparent worsening of these changes.
Glyphosate is an endocrine disruptor, meaning that it mimics or modifies the effects of hormones. For example, in placental cell cultures it reduces the activity of the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for the synthesis of estrogen. Rats fed glyphosate during puberty show changes in testicular morphology.”
OK, enough, and there are more studies including the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer announced findings that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’s RoundUp line of pesticides, is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
So, current research seems to indicate that this stuff is toxic, and almost all of the people tested in America are showing levels of glyphosate in their urine. We are ingesting vast quantities in our food, as well as spraying it generously all over our communities. It should be treated as a serious poison. Stop defending it and start advising people to stop applying it all together, or use less, or at least read the label and apply sensible precautions. Stop being so nonchalant about its use. Here are some links to get someone’s research started: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/weed-whacking-herbicide-p/
I’d have someone check on those cows again, Dennis Lawson, and maybe on the people who ate their meat or drank their milk.
Douglas Pittman is a South Kona farmer.