Monsanto’s Underhand Tactics To Protect Its Weed Killer Roundup

In the past month we’ve written a lot about the dangers of Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup. These dangers range from causing certain types of cancers in humans and animals to hormonal disruptions. Roundup’s main ingredient glyphosate has also been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Despite the evidence mounting against Monsanto’s weed killer, the company and its supporters are dead set on keeping the truth about Roundup under wraps… and their tactics are as threatening as this deadly pesticide.

Weeding out the truth

Just five years ago, Argentinian researcher Dr. Andreas Carrasco discovered that low doses of Roundup were causing birth defects in frogs and chickens. After he published his findings and planned to give a talk on his research, a violent mob of pro-Roundup thugs showed up at his office to interrogate him.

But these intimidation tactics don’t stop there… A group representing employees at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) claims that agency scientists are having their careers threatened for trying to expose the dangers of Roundup and other agricultural chemicals.

The worst is, these scientists are not being intimidated by pro-Roundup bullies outside the USDA but by high-ranking agency officials… all in an effort to protect Monsanto’s billions in profits instead of exposing the health dangers posed by this global best-selling weed killer.

Scientists are supposed to ask questions and find answers. It’s what they do. But when USDA scientists found themselves being investigated and censured by higher-ups simply for looking into the effects of Roundup and other chemicals, it was too much for those who look out for their interests.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), which represents USDA and other US government scientists, recently noted in a petition that at least 10 USDA researchers have come forward and claimed that they were ordered to retract studies, delete their names from or delay publication of research papers, and water down findings that conflict with “industry interests” (read “industry profits”).

PEER Executive Director, Jeff Ruch said that these researchers “have very little in the way of legal rights and have career paths that are extremely vulnerable.”

One USDA scientist (who asked not to be named) recently told a newspaper: “Your words are changed, your papers are censored or edited or you are not allowed to submit them at all.” He was talking about research involving the effects of Roundup, which is sprayed on genetically modified crops (GMO) crops, and neonicotinoid insecticides.

And given that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Roundup to be a probable cause of cancer in humans, you can just imagine what researchers are digging out about this dangerous weed killer.

If you think that Roundup and its dangers don’t affect you, think again. As I mentioned earlier, Roundup is the most widely used weed killer in the world. This means that if you are getting your garden and lawn ready for this summer, you’ve probably used Roundup to get rid of those pesky weeds.

It is terrible to think that global agricultural businesses like Monsanto are able to interfere with researchers and their work. These scientists work for the public, not for profit-driven companies like Monsanto that couldn’t care less about your health.

Considering the health risks linked to Roundup that have already been exposed, it’s crucial to public interest that these researchers are allowed to conduct their research without being harassed or intimidated, even if it means jeopardizing the billion-pound interests of companies like Monsanto.

Unfortunately, we already know that Monsanto will go to any lengths to prevent outside researchers from examining its products. For example, its agreement with farmers who purchase its patented GMO seeds stipulates that they may not transfer those seeds to anyone for “research, or generation of herbicide registration data.”

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Disclaimer: Bear in mind the material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only. We are not addressing anyone’s personal situation. Please consult with your own physician before acting on any recommendations contained herein.

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Sources:

“Environmental group seeks greater protection for USDA scientists” Carey Gillam, March 27, 2015, Reuters, reuters.com

“USRTK calls for investigation of Monsanto cover up, harassment of USDA scientists” Gary Ruskin, March 30, 2015, USRTK, usrtk.org