Journal retracts paper exonerating glyphosate (Roundup) from any harm to humans.

The journal, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, has retracted a major paper, one that “had a significant impact on regulatory decision-making regarding glyphosate and Roundup for decades.”  The now-retracted paper had found the herbicide, glyphosate, to pose no health risk to humans.

Quotes from the retraction notice:

• Concerns were raised regarding the authorship of this paper, validity of the research findings in the context of misrepresentation of the contributions by the authors and the study sponsor and potential conflicts of interest of the authors.
• The article’s conclusions regarding the carcinogenicity of glyphosate are solely based on unpublished studies from Monsanto, which have failed to demonstrate tumorigenic potential.
• The authors did not include multiple other long-term chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies…[although] they are aware of other studies, that were unpublished and not available.
• Litigation in the United States revealed correspondence from Monsanto suggesting that the authors of the article were not solely responsible for writing its content…employees of Monsanto may have contributed to the writing of the article without proper acknowledgment as co-authors.
• The authors may have received financial compensation from Monsanto for their work on this article, which was not disclosed as such.
• The lack of clarity regarding which parts of the article were authored by Monsanto employees creates uncertainty about the integrity of the conclusions drawn.
• It is unclear how much of the conclusions of the authors were influenced by external contributions of Monsanto without proper acknowledgments.

The now retracted paper: Safety Evaluation and Risk Assessment of the Herbicide Roundup and Its Active Ingredient, Glyphosate, for Humans. Gary M. Williams, Robert Kroes, and Ian C. Munro.  Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 31, 117–165 (2000).  doi:10.1006/rtph.1999.1371

This paper exonerates glyphosate and its main metabolites from any harm other than eye irritation.  It says [Note: this is not necessarily my view] they:

• Are poorly absorbed.
• Are eliminated essentially unmetabolized.
• Do not penetrate skin.
• Do not bioaccumulate.
• Are not toxic.
• Do not damage DNA.
• Do not cause mutations.
• Do not cause cancer.
• Do not cause developmental problems.
• Do not affect fertility.

The paper concludes: “Roundup herbicide does not result in adverse effects on development, reproduction, or endocrine systems in humans and other
mammals…Roundup herbicide does not pose a health risk to humans.”

The authors disclosure statement: “…we thank the toxicologists and other scientists at Monsanto who made significant contributions to the development of exposure assessments and through many other discussions. The authors were given complete access to toxicological information contained in the great number of laboratory studies and archival material at Monsanto in St. Louis, Missouri, and elsewhere…We also acknowledge the participation and assistance of Douglass W. Bryant and Cantox Health Sciences International for scientific and logistical support in the preparation of the final manuscript.”

COMMENT

Producers of genetically modified seeds, particularly Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), have long argued that the glyphosate herbicide used with these seeds is safe and harmless to human health.  This now-retracted paper supported that argument and made it difficult to argue otherwise.  When people made ill by high glyphosate exposure filed lawsuits, lawyers were able to read internal Monsanto documents.  These exposed the role of Monsanto in manipulating this research.  Carey Gillam discusses one case in her book, The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man’s Search for Justice, which I reviewed here.

The retraction notice suggests that the journal editors were convinced that

• The authors cherry-picked the data
• Were paid to write the paper
• Worked with Monsanto to write the paper

Obviously, none of this was disclosed—reason enough for retraction.

Better late than never.  Gillam published her book in 2021. 

Next, how about a ban?  The EPA says 280 million pounds of glyphosate are used annually in the United States.

Wouldn’t we all be better off without it?

Resource

Thanks to Tom Philpott for sending this: NYT’s Pro-Big Ag Pundit Gets It Right on Manure, But Misses the Mark on Herbicides