Independent Study Testing Dangers of Glyphosate Asks For Crowdfunding Support

A new independent study will evaluate the dangers of glyphosate, the main chemical found in Roundup herbicide, following closely the way it’s used in and around our homes. The study is being run by the Ramazzini Institute in Italy and they are asking for $1,000,000 Euro in crowdfunding support to answer important questions about this chemical and it’s impact on our families. As parents, we should be highly concerned about the dangers of glyphosate. It has been linked to birth defects, and it is being sprayed in our communities. And our children are not protected because the government does not set limits of exposure based on pregnant women or children. Instead, they make safety evaluations based on the health of adult men.  So call me paranoid, but I’m concerned about the most heavily used herbicide in history. It’s been found in soil, water, and food. And it’s also been found in rain samples in the midwest. The University of California studied a group of Americans and discovered that 93% of them had residue in their bodies. In addition to all that, it’s even been found in breast milk, and in foods that are certified to be USDA Organic or Project Non-GMO verified. That’s why a new Glyphosate Residue Free certification was been created.

This study will be performed by scientists who are independent, at institutes in Europe and US. The study will provide full clear long-term data on:

• The toxicity of glyphosate and Roundup at real-life exposures
• The carcinogenicity of glyphosate and Roundup at real-life exposures
• The multi-generational effects of glyphosate and Roundup at real-life exposures
• The neurotoxicology effects of glyphosate and Roundup at real-life exposures
• The endocrine disrupting effects of glyphosate and Roundup at real-life exposures
• The prenatal developmental toxicity effects of glyphosate and Roundup at real-life exposures
• The effects of glyphosate and Roundup at real-life exposures on the microbiome.

Pushback Against The Dangers Of Glyphosate

In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) and it’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) review labeled glyphosate a “probable human carcinogen.” Unfortunately, their review is not without controversy. Reuters recently accused the WHO of “removing” studies that glyphosate is NOT linked shown to be linked to cancer. Reuters compared the draft to an already published report. While that sounds suspicious, it’s also true that a draft is not a final version. Good science updates over time and reassesses studies with new information that scientists have learned. Right now, we don’t know why the changes were made by WHO since this draft process is confidential. Congress is currently investigating why those edits were made.

Yet from the bowels of Monsanto one of their own scientists warned “we also have potential vulnerabilities in the other areas that IARC will consider, namely, exposure, genetox and mode of action…” wrote in October 2014. That same email discussed a need to find allies and arrange funding for a “fight”—all months before the IARC meeting in March 2015. As the IARC meeting got closer, internal documents show that Monsanto did not wait for the actual decision, it immediately enlisted teams of PR and lobbying experts, scientists and others in a plan aimed at creating what was designed as a storm of “outcry” and “outrage” to follow the IARC classification. The next thing you know story after story was written with considerable tight timing lambasting the IARC.

That same agency did a “co-analysis” in 2016 with the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and then reported that it was “unlikely to post a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through diet.” In other words, your food is “fine.” So which is it?

Well, there are other studies of the hazards of glyphosate available–other studies that are cause for concern, especially given we are being asked to accept studies from people with a financial interest in glyphosate.

A Sampling Of Glyphosate Studies Thus Far

While the WHO’s claims about the cancer-causing dangers of glyphosate may be suspect, it is not the only investigation of health concerns from this pesticide. A 2014 study in Sri Lanka possibly linked it to chronic kidney disease, prompting that country to ban the substance. Birth defects have been linked to Roundup at least since 2002, when a review was done by King’s College London School of Medicine, UK. The American Chemical Society did an animal study with similar results in 2010. Roundup itself, in fact, has been shown to be more hazardous than just glyphosate, according to a 2014 study. That, of course, is where most of our families get exposed to glyphosate: from food based on or contaminated by Roundup crops.

Other studies have also linked glyphosate to endocrine disruption, even at low levels belying the WHO’s claim about safe levels in food. In 2014, the controversial Seralini study, which was retracted in one journal, and then published in another, showed “that GMOs and glyphosate (Roundup) cause tumors, liver and kidney damage in rats.” Although critics claim the rats used were prone to cancer, Cornucopia and Seralini supporters claim the retraction was politically driven.

Unfortunately, independent studies are scarce and far between. The reason is simple: they lack funding. While it’s easy for Monsanto to engage scientists and institutions with tempting research funding, most of the larger studies end up with a foreseen conclusion that benefits Big Agriculture. Misleading studies, “independent” scientists that are paid to support the industry and incomplete data have eroded our trust in corporately funded studies, especially in recent years.

What’s The Solution? A New Study

With so much at stake and emotions running high, it’s time to put this all to bed and once and for all test  and test the real life dangers of glyphosate. After all, we are exposed to it from our neighbors, our foods (even “clean” options), soil, water, air, public spaces and more. Surely if our bodies and our babies can’t be glyphosate free right now, should we know whether or not it’s safe? With the rising rates ADHD, learning disabilities, chronic illnesses, asthma and cancer among our children, we have a right to uncompromised data examining the safety of this chemical.

That demand will finally be met. The non-profit Ramazzini Institute in Italy just announced the launch of a brand new study evaluating the safety of glyphosate for its toxicity and cancer-causing effects at exposures that we currently find in real life. They will also research these effects of glyphosate:

• Multi-generational effects
• Its effect as a neurotoxin
• Endocrine disruption
• Disruptions of prenatal development
• Effect on the microbiome

The Global Glyphosate Study is unique in that no lab studies have ever covered “real life exposure” to glyphosate that focus on long term or multi-general effects. It’s also going to be the first comprehensive independent study of glyphosate. That means it will be the first to research the long-term effects of glyphosate that is not funded or supported in any way by the industry that manufactures it. Typically, independent scientists do not have the budget that this study will. In fact, the Institute is crowdfunding this study, as they did for the preliminary study that set the groundwork.

Aiming to produce independent and solid scientific evidence, the Ramazzini Institute has decided not  to accept any funding for the study from the industry that produces glyphosate-based herbicides or from the organic farming or food industry – to avoid all conflicts of interest.

Let’s now make this in to a global game-changing project which will provide independent data for the public, regulators and the food industry all over the World.

—Global Glyphosate Study 

Study Shows Potential Dangers Of Glyphosate

The preliminary study, in fact, suggested evidence that glyphosate is indeed harmful. This 3-month study showed both endocrine and microbiome disturbances as well as “potential adverse effects” in rats exposed to glyphosate herbicides like Roundup, at doses currently categorized by the EPA as “safe.” A director and chief of pathology at the institute’s cancer research center, Dr. Fiorella Belpoggi said, “There are many unanswered questions following our short-term preliminary study.”

27,000 people from the Bologna region of Italy funded the preliminary study. The new study, however, will be globally crowdfunded. That means you can contribute! The goal is to raise $1 million Euro (about $1.2 million US dollars) to start Stage 1 of this comprehensive study. What kind of benefits can you get from investing in their research?

Despite plenty of pushback from Monsanto and the agricultural community, California officially listed glyphosate as a known carcinogen, and some cities, like Chicago, are removing glyphosate from their public spaces. That’s just based on what we now know and suspect. Think about it: conclusive, scientific evidence of the dangers of glyphosate would mean more positive legislation and moves to protect families all around the country, maybe even globally! The market for organic and clean lawn care products and services would grow, giving us and all our neighbors better options. More towns and cities can be encouraged to kick out the Roundup. That could mean a real shot at a clean future for our kids and grandchildren. Isn’t that exciting?

Learn more about the study and consider contributing today so we can put the debate to rest on the dangers of glyphosate on our families once and for all.