RoundUp herbicide, ducks and geese

RoundUp the herbicide that alters genes

A friend called me earlier today and needed me to collaborate on a comment he is going to make on a U.S. Navy environmental impact report. Specifically, they want to use RoundUp to knock down trees near the power lines in his community. Our local water agency here does not want to use it because of some problems that have come to light about it. In fact, I have been preparing some information for them on the topic - to support their unwillingness to use it. Even though we allow its use on food crops! 

You can Google it and find some things out but is largely non-technical.

 For example:

“Medical reports link exposure to glyphosate herbicides with short-term symptoms including blurred vision, skin problems, heart palpitations, and nausea. Studies have also found associations with increased risk of miscarriages, premature birth, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and diabetes. Formulations in which glyphosate is combined with other ingredients can be more acutely toxic than glyphosate alone (6, pgs. 5-8). Monsanto, a major manufacturer of glyphosate-based herbicides, was challenged by the Attorney General of New York State for making safety claims similar to those now being repeated by the U.S. State Department. In an out-of-court settlement in 1996, Monsanto agreed to stop advertising the product as "safe, non-toxic, harmless or free from risk”.

“New York State's Attorney General has sued Monsanto for claiming that RoundUp is "safe" and "environmentally friendly."  This suit ended in a settlement with Monsanto in which Monsanto agreed to cease and desist from using these terms in advertising RoundUp in the state of New York.  Monsanto, while not admitting any wrongdoing, paid the state of New York $250,000 in settlement of this suit.  When Monsanto violated the first settlement agreement by advertising within New York that RoundUp is "safe," a second agreement was negotiated.”

I took this mural like photograph at a nearby urban lake when the Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were sitting on their nests. They are so large bodied because they are herbivores and this is common for plant eaters because they need to eat a lot of food to get the nutrition they need. For some folks the by product of this diet (feces) is a problem when it is in their parks. However, the other waterfowl that would normally be there move out, largely because of human and pet activity in the water. Therefore, it is easy for me to be understanding and appreciate their presence.

So, I have two good reasons to be investigating RoundUp. Thus far, the claims that it is not safe because it modifies DNA and inhibits cell function and interferes with reproduction are true. I cannot post these peer-reviewed articles BUT you can email me and I will send the peer-reviewed information to you. One in particular is interesting because it is challenged and the author does an effective job of refuting the allegations. 

It is somewhat disheartening to discover that scientists who uncover these kinds of problems do not speak out. However, it is not surprising since few if any scientists are willing to study ethics. In fact, I am attending a two-year long seminar at U.C. Berkeley and one presenter, a bioethicist, was given the task of discussing this with cell and molecular biologists by the National Science Foundation - they refused to participate.