Monsanto Hears The WHO

By now, you’ve probably heard the news regarding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer classifying the popular herbicide glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Since this report first broke in mid-March, the “he said, she said” nature of the debate has been appearing almost daily across the spectrum of news media, both traditional and digital. Obviously, we will be following all of these developments closely as more details emerge in the coming weeks and months in this ongoing story.

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What will be the outcome of the fight between Monsanto and the WHO regarding glyphosate?

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But in the meantime, reading the back and forth between the WHO, Monsanto and defenders/foes regarding the safety of glyphosate, I’m somewhat reminded of a classic Dr. Seuss story involving an elephant named Horton, skeptical residents of the Jungle of Nool and a dust speck (or in this case, molecule) many people have trouble believing in.

With the names changed, here’s how a shorter version of that tale might read in this context:

Monsanto Hears The WHO – By MR. S.

On the 20th of March, from the country of France

In the middle of the day, taking a firm stance

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified glyphosate

“Probably carcinogenic,” might cause humans to fright

From the offices of Monsanto, in the city of St. Louis

The company begged to differ, why do this to us?

We hear the news, and the “facts” of this report

But please, give us a chance to retort

The study is incomplete, with some details a jumble

It might simply be a ploy to make our stock price tumble

We think you are foolish, looking at glyphosate to blame

“The WHO has something to explain”

Through the high-tech Internet, the news quickly spread

Glyphosate is dangerous, something for us humans to dread

An aid to the farmer, it might truly be

But will it make me sick when I turn 63?

Soon, established scientists chimed in without pause

“This report contains no new research, among other flaws”

Maybe glyphosate on humans might be a sin

“But to me, the evidence cited here appears a bit thin”

Monsanto hears the WHO, and promises to fight without fail

Hoping an official retraction from the group might prevail

Until then, for glyphosate use in the spring, summer and fall-ish

The fight is apt to continue, no matter how big or how small-ish

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Avatar for Todd schaus Todd schaus says:

I don’t like your down play of the issue at hand! I have sprayed over 100,000 acres of Rounup in the 80’s.
I then went to work for two major chemical companies and personally saw the increase in Sds in soybeans and the RR trait used on 95% of the acres for the last 15 years.
Just recently I viewed an hour long video of a tenured Purdue professor who I know personally state that over use of glyphosate has led to increases 500x of the fusiarium fungus in soil.
This brings proof to me along with other symptoms I have seen in the field that there is ties to Sds and multiple years use of glyphosate in soybeans.
As far as cancer caused by glyphosate that verdict is out as I talk to more doctors on a daily basis.
I know a few things about Ag since I have worked in it for 30 plus years.
Here is a question for you? Do you want your kids or grandkids eating fresh sweet corn with the Bt trait in it?
The Bt trait gets in the gut of the worm and destroys it! I don’t want mine eating one ear!
Genetic modification is not sustainable agriculture, and that is the message Dr Huber from Purdue is sending !
I suggest you watch his video.
Sincerely
Todd Schaus

Avatar for Neal Fehringer Neal Fehringer says:

I have been a consulting agronomist for 35 years. I have not seen issues with Roundup with farmers that have used it since the late 1970s. What it has done has kept billions of tons of soil in the Great Plains from being blown and washed from fields. Last Saturday we had over 60 mph winds that caused moderate erosion in tilled fields. Is it perfect, hell no. Plants have developed resistance to it but through chemistry, that will be tackled as well, just like weed resistance to atrazine. In regard to Bt gene, I would rather have my grandchildren eat corn with the Bt gene than having been treated with Furadan. Bt gene has lead to the discontinued use of many insecticides to control corn borer. Bt has been proven in university studies to not be harmful to humans. It is a naturally occurring fungus in the soil. What is not sustainable is organic farming across the Great Plains and in other annual crop areas. No-till is the answer to sustainability and Roundup will continue to be a part of it. Did you know that on a LD50 basis, that Roundup is about 6 times safer than aspirin, table salt, and 2,4-D? As to it being a carcinogen, that will have to be sorted out.

Avatar for Larry Larry says:

As I understand it, the Bt protein is inactive until it reacts in a basic (pH>7) environment. Insects digestive tracts are basic, animals are acidic.

Avatar for Keep smiling Keep smiling says:

Yep. He was vested in the seed business until Abbott Cobb got rid of him. He’s a good source of absolutely nothing.

Avatar for AgSciGuy AgSciGuy says:

You are obviously referring to Don Huber, a retired Purdue prof that decided to remain relevant by promoting fear. Apparently, It is easier to write horror stories than do valid research.

Avatar for Jim Jim says:

The consumer is driving the demand for food products, and the trend is for higher nutritious crops and less pesticide residue. The food processors are switching to more organic and non-gmo production to meet the demand. Also, slaughter houses have started running lines just for grass feed beef to meet the US demand. And US companies are setting up slaughter houses to process the grass fed beef oversees just to meet the demand from companies like Chipotle. I don’t think its worth the time to argue who’s right on the WHO debate, when end the consumer will determine the demand. Anyone in the food industry knows where its heading.

Avatar for Clarence McGregor Clarence McGregor says:

Been using Roundup since 1995 and was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2009, 1st cousin died of Lymphoma a year later, 3 neighbors have same. Do I see a link?

Avatar for amanda amanda says:

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I am watching Dr. Oz and the subject of Glyphosate and Roundup is shocking. I believe that there is no question that the use of these chemicals causes Cancer. Good luck and God bless.

Avatar for Larry Larry says:

The last info I saw indicates that other than skin cancer (probably due to increased sun exposure), farmers and pesticide applicators have lower cancer rates than most Americans.

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