(NaturalNews) A recent study conducted by Dr. Nancy Swanson and the President of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Andre Leu, has reinforced what many have been convinced of all along: glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup, is lethal. Their correlation study determined that it's lethal even in small amounts, debunking the notion in which some people suggest that its levels are so low that it can't possibly damage health.
The study, titled "Genetically engineered crops, glyphosate and the deterioration of health in the United States of America," was published in the Journal of Organic Systems. First, United States government databases were reviewed to find GE crop data, disease epidemiological data and glyphosate application data. Then, the team conducted correlation analyses on 22 diseases in these data sets which revealed the disturbing discovery that the ingredient is indeed wreaking havoc on people's health.
Glyphosate a "driver of mutations that lead to cancer"
Their findings state that "Glyphosate disrupts the endocrine system and the balance of gut bacteria, it damages DNA and is a driver of mutations that lead to cancer." They noted that glyphosate applications are linked to a long list of ailments and chronic diseases ranging from stroke, cancers of the thyroid, bladder, pancreas, kidney and liver to autism, end stage renal disease, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.
The study draws eye-opening parallels to the fact that there's been "A huge increase in the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases" reported in the U.S. over the past two decades and that "During this same time period, there has been an exponential increase in the amount of glyphosate applied to food crops and in the percentage of GE food crops planted.
Monsanto and U.S. EPA maintain that glyphosate is safe
Ironically, Monsanto's website houses well-worded, emotionally-laden phrases to demonstrate their level of commitment.
Their "Monsanto Pledge" includes a "Respect" blurb which states, "We will respect the religious, cultural, and ethical concerns of people throughout the world. The safety of our employees, the communities where we operate, our customers, consumers, and the environment will be our highest priority."
Especially in light of this latest study, it would appear that some changes need to be made to their site. Lacing foods with agents associated with cancer, MS and autism hardly screams "ethical," or something that demonstrates placing a high priority on safety.
Other findings have found that glyphosate builds up in humans, accumulating in their bodies and ultimately playing a role in dementia, obesity, heart disease, cancer and gastrointestinal disease.
Monsanto maintains that glyphosate is safe, most notably in response to an Associated Press story that detailed pesticide misuse in Argentina. The story outlined how area doctors were making correlations between spikes in birth defects and cancers in rural locations and the rise of intensive industrial agriculture where such chemicals are used.
Still, despite this and other findings, the U.S. EPA, along with other agencies, remain unwavering in their belief that glyphosate is safe. They say no evidence of carcinogenicity exists, then attempt to convey this absurd confidence to the masses by giving it their highest rating of "E," which basically means that evidence shows that glyphosate does NOT cause cancer in humans.
Monsanto is adamant that "Glyphosate has an excellent safety profile" stating that "Since its discovery in the early 1970s the unique herbicidal active ingredient glyphosate has become the world's most widely used herbicide because it is efficacious, economical and environmentally benign."
