How Monsanto captured the EPA—and twisted science—to keep glyphosate on the market
This must read, two-year investigation by Valerie Brown and the late Elizabeth Grossman found "incontrovertible evidence that Monsanto has exerted deep influence over EPA decisions since glyphosate first came on the market—via Roundup—more than 40 years ago."
Together the authors examine how Monsanto selectively interpreted toxicity studies, manipulated science, and aggressively smeared a small non-profit called Moms Across America, a group that detected glyphosate in breast milk samples in a small 2014 study. The organization's founder, Zen Honeycutt, was criticized for the testing because it was not a "formal scientific study."
Her intention, however, was to use the informal study to further more formal ones, and "...to provoke a movement so that policies would be changed."
The 2014 breast milk study wasn't the first time Honeycutt and Moms Across America alleged glyphosate was showing up in food:
- OC moms group alleges Nature Valley granola bars contain weed killer chemical (CBS Los Angeles)
- Activists stir debate over reported weed killer in wines (Napa Valley Register)
A solution to evaluating glyphosate's safety was proposed in 2016, EHN founder Pete Myers being one of the 14 authors: "force some daylight between regulators and the regulated."
