A recently filed class action lawsuit claims Monsanto lied about Roundup safety. The suit, filed in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County claims that the mega-corporation’s herbicide is not safe for humans as has been promised by Monsanto.
Monsanto states that Roundup targets a specific enzyme (EPSP synthase) that is only found in plants. Plaintiffs claim that this statement is “blatantly false.” While Monsanto asserts that their research proves Roundup’s main ingredient, glyphosate, is cannot negatively impact humans as humans do not have EPSP synthase in their systems.
The enzyme enables plants to absorb minerals and make proteins from amino acids. When glyphosate stops plants from producing EPSP synthase, the plants starve. According to the suit, “The same chemistry that kills backyard weeds likewise kills gut bacteria, and this bacteria kill-off compromises our digestion, metabolism, and vital immune system functions.”
The suit further claims, “When we eat crops sprayed with glyphosate, we ingest glyphosate, and detectable quantities accumulate in our tissues…Glyphosate has been detected in urine, blood, even breast milk—and 75% of rainwater samples.”
If, in fact, plaintiffs’ research is correct, glyphosate has many negative impacts on human health including:
- Stomach and bowel problems
- Indigestion
- Ulcers
- Colitis
- Gluten intolerance
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Crohn’s Disease
- Celiac Disease
- Allergies
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Infertility
- Liver disease
- Renal failure
- Autism
- Alzheimer’s
- Endocrine disruption
As if that’s not bad enough, the World Health Organization believes that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic.” Plaintiffs also claim that pets (cats and dogs) also have EPSP synthase in their digestive tracts and are, therefore, at risk if they eat Roundup-sprayed products.
Where is the government in this story? Cuddled up nice and cozy in bed with Monsanto, that’s where. In 2013, the EPA allowed Monsanto to raise the glyphosate levels to several times the then-existing amounts. Congress and President Obama pushed through a backdoor law dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act” also in 2013. This law gives corporations like Monsanto (which helped the sponsoring official write the bill) broad protections allowing them to continue selling dangerous products to a largely ignorant and unsuspecting public.
Even with this vile collusion from our government, Monsanto isn’t completely immune to the actions of those “in the know.” The company’s products are banned in 26 nations as of 2013 with many more demanding the products be labeled more accurately than they are now. Bad press is also taking its toll on Monsanto as the company’s profits were down in Q1 of 2015.
If certified, the class will include those who bought Roundup or Roundup-related products during the last four years. No mention has yet been made of those who, while not purchasing Roundup, may have been affected by eating Roundup-treated food.
Source:
Lawsuit Accuses Monsanto of Lying About Safety of Roundup
Another win for Monsanto: US raises allowable levels of company’s pesticide in crops
‘Monsanto Protection Act’: 5 Terrifying Things To Know About The HR 933 Provision
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