Monsanto’s Roundup, a renowned herbicide has been under the microscope for a long while now. In March 2015, WHO (the World Health Organization) announced that the main component in Monsanto’s weed killer Roundup is a ‘probable’ cause for cancer. This announcement shocked many people in the USA.

Glyphosate, which is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup has been listed under Group 2A list by the WHO’s International Agency for Research and Cancer. This means it’s possibly carcinogenic to humans. The fact that it’s listed as ‘possibly’ carcinogenic means that there is minimal evidence to show the carcinogenic effects in animal studies.

The listing was recommended by the IARC after discovering proof of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in humans in a studies’ review published in the U.S., Sweden and Canada during the last 15 years. The findings pointed to occupational exposure to glyphosate which elevated risks for non-Hodgkin lymphoma that extended after modification for other pesticides.

Glyphosate is the most manufactured and most utilized herbicide all over the world. It was first introduced in 1974 by Monsanto as the main ingredient in its Roundup products. Its use has greatly increased after genetically modified plants

 were introduced. 

Monsanto’s Roundup is used in over 160 countries and is applied on most of the U.S.’s soybean and corn crops that are genetically modified to survive it. Other than agriculture, glyphosate is also widely utilized lawns, gardens, and parks most frequented by parents who take their kids and pets play.

It is speculated that in the year 2012, approximately 300 million pounds of the chemical was used on U.S. crops.
Its official that glyphosate is being reevaluated in the US, EU, Brazil and Canada. Other areas such as Sri Lanka, Netherlands and El Salvador want to implement a ban on the product.

WHO study claims that the glyphosate remains in the water, food and air around the areas where the chemical is dispatched on the crops. Research further argues that the glyphosate contained in the pesticide Roundup can ravage DNA, mess up development and create morbidity, even when used at normal levels.

Farmers, agricultural workers, landscapers and gardeners have filed several lawsuits against Monsanto for forging the safety claims on Monsanto’s Roundup. Some of these people get cancer after using this product and claim that the manufacturer of Roundup, Monsanto, did not offer proper warning against the health risks involved.

Various campaigns were formed against Monsanto Roundup such as ‘Millions against Monsanto’, which started in mid 1990s by the Organic Consumers Association to fight back against Monsanto and the other Biotech accomplices who created Agent Orange, PCBs, Roundup (glyphosate) and other toxins that pose a threat to human health and the environment.

‘Stop Monsanto’ by Greenpeace International is also coaxing people to sign the petition and drive the governments worldwide to act.

‘Protect our health, Stop Monsanto’ by Avaaz The world in action is also urging citizens to sign the petition to the EU, US, Brazil and Canada authorities, and all government Ministries and regulators responsible for Health and Environmental Policy.

In the long-run, there is a need for extensive food safety and additional scientific studies to apprehend the effects these chemicals have on people and the environment.