Dr. Stephanie Seneff (Photo : You Tube)
A study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) yielded results on the probabilitiy of the chemical, glyphosate, usually used in the weedkiller Roundup causing cancer to humans. Mosanto, the American-owned agro-chemical distributor, and other members of the industry are not happy about it.
An article about the issue was also published by The Wall Street Journal.
The cancer agency arm of the World Health Organization (WHO) asked a group of scientists to determine if the chemical is a potential risk to cancer.
The report of IARC stated that traces of the herbicide are found in the air, water and food due to spraying. Moreover, said component was seen in the blood and urine samples of agricultural workers exposed to the chemical.
Tests done on rats and mice in experimental labs showed that the chemical can cause tumors on these animals and added that it can probably do the same to humans.
Professor of human toxicology at Brunel University in London, Andreas Kortenkamp, reminded about the risk individuals who use the weedkiller for their plants are facing.
"Home gardeners especially should exercise the utmost care when they use weedkillers that contain glyphosate," he was quoted as saying.
He also recommended that amateur farmers and gardeners should consider to just hand-weed in order to be safe.
The product is widely popular in the United States and other parts of Europe and the United Kingdom. In some instances, however, the chemical was present in commodities such as cereal bars and bread.
Meanwhile, Aaron Blair, the panel chairman of IARC, said there was not enough evidence that showed DNA mutations nor chromosome damage to humans although he said they found evidence of these changes in the animals.
Monsanto, a member of the industry group called Glyphosate Task Force dispute the findings, saying there were deficiencies in the methodological approach.
This defiance was also supported by other academic scientists who offered notes of caution about the evaluation. Analytical chemist Oliver Jones has this to say, "IARC evaluations are usually very good, but to me the evidence cited here appears a bit thin."
As a result of this controversy, the US Environmental Protection Agency is now reviewing on the safety of the chemical glyphosate, which, for them are not carcinogenic in humans.
Nature has also shed light on the debate on an article by Scientific American.
