Glyphosate and Cancer: Examining the Roundup Lawsuit

Last Updated on May 16, 2023 by Andrew

If you’ve been following the news in recent years, you’ve probably heard of the Roundup lawsuit. This lawsuit involves allegations that Roundup, a popular herbicide manufactured by Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), causes cancer. 

Specifically, the lawsuits claim that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is associated with an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and other forms of cancer.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the science behind glyphosate and cancer, as well as the ongoing Roundup lawsuit.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a herbicide that was first introduced in the 1970s by Monsanto. It works by inhibiting a specific enzyme that plants need for growth, ultimately causing them to wither and die. It is now one of the most widely used herbicides, with an estimated 250 million pounds applied annually in the United States alone.

What is the Roundup Lawsuit?

The Roundup lawsuit involves thousands of people who have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and other forms of cancer after being exposed to Roundup. These individuals claim that Monsanto knew or should have known about the potential health risks associated with glyphosate and failed to adequately warn the public.

The first Roundup lawsuit went to trial in 2018, resulting in a $289 million verdict in favor of the plaintiff, a groundskeeper who claimed that his cancer was caused by exposure to Roundup. However, the compensation was later reduced to $78 million, and the case is still ongoing.

Since the first Roundup lawsuit went to trial in 2018, there have been several more trials with mixed results. Some juries have awarded large verdicts to plaintiffs, while others have found that there is not enough evidence to link glyphosate to cancer. 

In the face of this legal uncertainty, some law firms have been working to secure settlements for their clients. For example, TorHoerman Law has settled over 80% of Roundup lawsuits, which amounts to over 100,000 cases. 

However, there are still thousands of cases pending, and more trials are scheduled for the coming months. It remains to be seen how the Roundup lawsuit will ultimately be resolved and what the long-term implications will be for the use of glyphosate and other pesticides.

What Does the Science Say?

The science surrounding glyphosate and cancer is complex and controversial. Some studies have suggested that glyphosate is linked to an increased risk of cancer, while others have found no such link.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization, conducted one of the most important studies on glyphosate and its potential links to cancer. In 2015, the IARC categorized glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen,” citing “convincing evidence” that it causes cancer in animals and “limited evidence” that it causes cancer in humans.

Another study published in Mutation Research in 2019 by researchers at the University of Washington found that using glyphosate-based herbicides increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41%. The researchers analyzed several human epidemiological studies and found evidence that suggests a strong link between exposure to glyphosate and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

However, other organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have come to different conclusions. The EPA has stated that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, although it did classify it as a “possible” human carcinogen in 1985.

Despite the conflicting evidence, many plaintiffs in the Roundup lawsuit point to the IARC’s classification as evidence that glyphosate is a carcinogen and that Monsanto should have done more to warn the public.

What’s Next for the Roundup Lawsuit?

The Roundup lawsuit is far from over. As of early 2023, there are still thousands of cases pending, and more trials are scheduled for the coming months.

In addition to the legal battles, there are also broader questions about the safety of glyphosate and other pesticides. Many advocates are calling for more research into the long-term health effects of these chemicals, as well as more stringent regulations to protect public health and the environment.

Conclusion

Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuits, it is clear that the Roundup lawsuit is a complex and contentious issue with no clear answer in sight. While some studies suggest that glyphosate is linked to an increased risk of cancer, others have found no such link. 

The controversy surrounding glyphosate and Roundup has sparked intense debate among scientists, regulators, and the public about the safety of these products and the need for better regulation and oversight of pesticides. 

As more research is conducted and more cases are tried, it is likely that we will learn more about the potential risks and benefits of glyphosate and other pesticides. In the meantime, it is important for individuals to stay informed about the issue and to make their own decisions about whether to use these products based on the best available information.

Andrew is a passionate blogger who loves to write about fashion, health business etc. I shares insights, ideas, and stories to inspire our readers.