sustainablepulse--2020-10-23--Environmental Groups Enter Legal Challenge over Glyphosate Registration in Canada

Environmental groups will be heading to the Federal Court of Appeal in support of a case related to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency ’ s ( PMRA ) decision to continue registration of the pesticide , glyphosate , it was announced on Wednesday .
Represented by Ecojustice lawyers , the David Suzuki Foundation , Environmental Defence Canada and Friends of the Earth Canada will be appearing as interveners in Safe Food Matters Inc. v. Attorney General of Canada to uphold Canadians ’ right to participate in decision-making about pesticides that impact human health and the environment .
The groups state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registration of glyphosate use in Canada , the PMRA ’ s decision to exclude evidence they and Safe Food Matters submitted is contrary to the public participation mechanisms in the Pest Control Products Act .
They say that this decision could pave the way for weakening of public oversight and accountability for future reviews of pesticides in Canada .
Despite evidence submitted by Safe Food Matters in the course of the re-evaluation of glyphosate and the Monsanto papers , the PMRA determined risks were acceptable without new restrictions .
Canada ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel to review the decision to continue the registration of glyphosate use in Canada .
The non-profit organization Safe Food Matters initiated legal action and is now appealing the Federal Court ’ s ruling that dismissed their application to judicially review the Minister of Health ’ s decision .
Representatives from the groups made the following statements today about their intervention : “ The Pest Management Regulatory Agency ’ s actions on the re-registration of glyphosate in the face of environmental and health objections are yet another example of the regulator ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that it has rigorous , independent science when it reviews pesticide registrations .
It ’ s time the PMRA start using the best available scientific research to guide decision-making about what we allow to be put in our food , the air , water and land that sustains life on this earth.
” Lisa Gue , senior researcher and analyst with the David Suzuki Foundation said : “ This appeal is critical , not only on glyphosate , but for the integrity of all pesticide regulation in Canada .
Federal law enables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulation decisions , but in this case , the earlier court decision makes this mechanism unusable .
We are asking the appeal court to overturn these harmful restrictions .
We need robust accountability processes to drive better decisions and ensure the integrity of our regulatory systems.
” “ Canada ’ s decision to continue the registration of glyphosate , a chemical linked to cancer and tremendous harm to ecosystems , for 15 more years is contrary to the conclusions of independent scientific research and regulatory decisions in France and other countries .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to participate in the regulatory process is so crucial and why the outcomes of this appeal can have an important implication on the regulatory decisions for glyphosate and other pesticides of concern.
” Beatrice Olivastri , CEO , Friends of the Earth Canada said : “ We are in full support of the appeal by Safe Food Matters to insist on an independent panel of scientists to review the science on the safety of glyphosate .
Our intervention seeks to ensure that Canadians have the right to challenge PMRA ’ s assessment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products in our stores , in our fields and gardens and in our food .
The earlier decision on Safe Food Matters ’ appeal slammed the door on that right .
We can not let this decision stand .
”

Environmental groups will be heading to the Federal Court of Appeal in support of a case related to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s (PMRA) decision to continue registration of the pesticide, glyphosate, it was announced on Wednesday.
Represented by Ecojustice lawyers, the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence Canada and Friends of the Earth Canada will be appearing as interveners in Safe Food Matters Inc. v. Attorney General of Canada to uphold Canadians’ right to participate in decision-making about pesticides that impact human health and the environment.
The groups state that in the context of the continued registration of glyphosate use in Canada, the PMRA’s decision to exclude evidence they and Safe Food Matters submitted is contrary to the public participation mechanisms in the Pest Control Products Act. They say that this decision could pave the way for weakening of public oversight and accountability for future reviews of pesticides in Canada.
Despite evidence submitted by Safe Food Matters in the course of the re-evaluation of glyphosate and the Monsanto papers, the PMRA determined risks were acceptable without new restrictions. Canada’s health minister then refused requests for an independent panel to review the decision to continue the registration of glyphosate use in Canada. The non-profit organization Safe Food Matters initiated legal action and is now appealing the Federal Court’s ruling that dismissed their application to judicially review the Minister of Health’s decision.
Representatives from the groups made the following statements today about their intervention:
Laura Bowman, Ecojustice lawyer said:
“The Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s actions on the re-registration of glyphosate in the face of environmental and health objections are yet another example of the regulator’s failure to apply the precautionary principle and ensure that it has rigorous, independent science when it reviews pesticide registrations. It’s time the PMRA start using the best available scientific research to guide decision-making about what we allow to be put in our food, the air, water and land that sustains life on this earth.”
Lisa Gue, senior researcher and analyst with the David Suzuki Foundation said:
“This appeal is critical, not only on glyphosate, but for the integrity of all pesticide regulation in Canada. Federal law enables the independent, non-biased review of pesticide regulation decisions, but in this case, the earlier court decision makes this mechanism unusable. We are asking the appeal court to overturn these harmful restrictions. We need robust accountability processes to drive better decisions and ensure the integrity of our regulatory systems.”
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Out Your Long-Term Exposure
Muhannad Malas, Toxics Program Manager at Environmental Defence said:
“Canada’s decision to continue the registration of glyphosate, a chemical linked to cancer and tremendous harm to ecosystems, for 15 more years is contrary to the conclusions of independent scientific research and regulatory decisions in France and other countries. This is why the right of the public to participate in the regulatory process is so crucial and why the outcomes of this appeal can have an important implication on the regulatory decisions for glyphosate and other pesticides of concern.”
Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth Canada said:
“We are in full support of the appeal by Safe Food Matters to insist on an independent panel of scientists to review the science on the safety of glyphosate. Our intervention seeks to ensure that Canadians have the right to challenge PMRA’s assessment of not only glyphosate but any pest control products in our stores, in our fields and gardens and in our food. The earlier decision on Safe Food Matters’ appeal slammed the door on that right. We cannot let this decision stand.”
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sustainablepulse--2020-11-05--US Federal Court Rules FDA Approval of GMO Salmon Unlawful

On Thursday , the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) violated core environmental laws in approving the GMO salmon .
The Court ruled that FDA ignored the serious environmental consequences of approving genetically engineered salmon and the full extent of plans to grow and commercialize the salmon in the U.S. and around the world , violating the National Environmental Policy Act .
The Court also ruled that FDA ’ s unilateral decision that genetically engineered salmon could have no possible effect on highly-endangered , wild Atlantic salmon was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Species Act .
The Court ordered FDA to go back to the drawing board and FDA must now thoroughly analyze the environmental consequences of an escape of genetically engineered salmon into the wild .
“ Today ’ s decision is a vital victory for endangered salmon and our oceans , ” said George Kimbrell , CFS legal director and counsel in the case .
“ Genetically engineered animals create novel risks and regulators must rigorously analyze them using sound science , not stick their head in the sand as officials did here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but unstudied risks .
The absolute last thing our planet needs right now is another human-created crisis like escaped genetically engineered fish running amok.
” In 2016 , Center for Food Safety ( CFS ) and Earthjustice—representing a broad client coalition of environmental , consumer , commercial and recreational fishing organizations and the Quinault Indian Nation—sued the FDA for approving the first-ever commercial genetically engineered animal , an Atlantic salmon engineered to grow twice as fast as its wild counterpart .
The genetically engineered salmon was produced by AquaBounty Technologies , Inc. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ king salmon , and Arctic ocean eelpout .
This marks the first time any government in the world has approved a commercially genetically engineered animal as food .
The Court ruled that FDA failed to consider and study the environmental risks of this novel GE fish .
When GE salmon escape or are accidentally released into the environment , the new species could threaten wild populations by mating with endangered salmon species , outcompeting them for scarce resources and habitat , and/or introducing new diseases .
The world ’ s preeminent experts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as biologists at U.S. wildlife agencies charged with protecting fish and wildlife , heavily criticized FDA ’ s approval for failing to evaluate the impacts of GE salmon on native salmon populations .
Yet FDA ignored their concerns in the final approval .
“ This decision underscores what scientists have been telling FDA for years—that creating genetically engineered salmon poses an unacceptable risk if the fish escape and interact with our wild salmon and that FDA must understand that risk to prevent harm , ” said Earthjustice managing attorney Steve Mashuda .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saving the wild salmon populations we already have—not manufacturing new species that pose yet another threat to their survival.
” Studies have shown that there is a high risk for genetically engineered organisms to escape into the natural environment , and that genetically engineered salmon can crossbreed with native fish .
So-called “ transgenic contamination ” —where genetically engineered crops cross-pollinate or establish themselves in nearby fields or the wild—has become common .
These contamination episodes have cost U.S. farmers billions of dollars over the past decade .
In wild organisms like fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Court also rejected FDA ’ s argument that it lacked authority to consider the adverse environmental impacts of GE animals , including the GE salmon .
To find otherwise , the Court said , would lead to “ absurd possibilities , ” like approval of GE animals that could cause serious harm to other life .
The Court held FDA had to consider environmental risks in its decision .
The lawsuit also highlights FDA ’ s failure to protect the environment and consult wildlife agencies in its review process , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salmon , and many populations of Pacific salmon , are protected by the Endangered Species Act and in danger of extinction .
Salmon are keystone species and unique salmon runs have sustained people and wildlife for thousands of years .
Diverse salmon runs today remain essential to indigenous food sovereignty , sustaining thousands of American fishing families , and are highly valued in domestic markets as a healthy , domestic , “ green ” food .
“ Salmon are at the center of our cultural and spiritual identity , diet , and way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arrogant to think man can improve upon our Creator ’ s perfection as a justification for corporate ambition and greed , ” said Fawn Sharp , Quinault Indian Nation President .
“ Our responsibility as stewards of our sacred salmon demands we aggressively protect their natural habitat and genetics .
We applaud today ’ s court decision ; our prayers were answered and justice prevailed.
” “ It ’ s a terrible idea to design genetically engineered ‘ Frankenfish ’ which , when they escape into the wild ( as they inevitably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salmon runs , ” said Mike Conroy , Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen ’ s Associations ( PCFFA ) , one of the Plaintiff groups in the suit .
“ Once engineered genes are introduced into the wild salmon gene pool , it can not be undone .
This decision is a major victory for wild salmon , salmon fishing families and dependent communities , and salmon conservation efforts everywhere.
” “ Genetically engineered salmon place wild salmon at risk and set a dangerous precedent for other genetically engineered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fit into factory farms , to enter the food system .
We applaud the court for this carefully-reasoned decision , ” said Dana Perls , Food and Technology program manager at Friends of the Earth U.S. “ All products made with genetic engineering , especially live animals like genetically engineered salmon , should undergo thorough and precautionary assessment for impacts to our health and environment , be properly regulated and clearly labeled before entering the market.
” “ Salmon fishermen and women don ’ t want to see these lab-made salmon in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant where salmon is sold , ” said John McManus , president of Golden State Salmon Association .
“ The federal Food and Drug Administration clearly let America down when it chose to overlook the environmental risk these fish pose.
” Represented by Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice , plaintiffs in the case include Institute for Fisheries Resources , Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen ’ s Associations , Cascadia Wildlands , Center for Biological Diversity , Center for Food Safety , Ecology Action Centre , Food and Water Watch , Friends of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Golden Gate Salmon Association , and the Quinault Indian Nation .

On Thursday, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) violated core environmental laws in approving the GMO salmon.
The Court ruled that FDA ignored the serious environmental consequences of approving genetically engineered salmon and the full extent of plans to grow and commercialize the salmon in the U.S. and around the world, violating the National Environmental Policy Act. The Court also ruled that FDA’s unilateral decision that genetically engineered salmon could have no possible effect on highly-endangered, wild Atlantic salmon was wrong, in violation of the Endangered Species Act. The Court ordered FDA to go back to the drawing board and FDA must now thoroughly analyze the environmental consequences of an escape of genetically engineered salmon into the wild.
“Today’s decision is a vital victory for endangered salmon and our oceans,” said George Kimbrell, CFS legal director and counsel in the case. “Genetically engineered animals create novel risks and regulators must rigorously analyze them using sound science, not stick their head in the sand as officials did here. In reality, this engineered fish offers nothing but unstudied risks. The absolute last thing our planet needs right now is another human-created crisis like escaped genetically engineered fish running amok.”
In 2016, Center for Food Safety (CFS) and Earthjustice—representing a broad client coalition of environmental, consumer, commercial and recreational fishing organizations and the Quinault Indian Nation—sued the FDA for approving the first-ever commercial genetically engineered animal, an Atlantic salmon engineered to grow twice as fast as its wild counterpart. The genetically engineered salmon was produced by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. with DNA from Atlantic salmon, Pacific king salmon, and Arctic ocean eelpout. This marks the first time any government in the world has approved a commercially genetically engineered animal as food.
The Court ruled that FDA failed to consider and study the environmental risks of this novel GE fish. When GE salmon escape or are accidentally released into the environment, the new species could threaten wild populations by mating with endangered salmon species, outcompeting them for scarce resources and habitat, and/or introducing new diseases. The world’s preeminent experts on GE fish and risk assessment, as well as biologists at U.S. wildlife agencies charged with protecting fish and wildlife, heavily criticized FDA’s approval for failing to evaluate the impacts of GE salmon on native salmon populations. Yet FDA ignored their concerns in the final approval.
“This decision underscores what scientists have been telling FDA for years—that creating genetically engineered salmon poses an unacceptable risk if the fish escape and interact with our wild salmon and that FDA must understand that risk to prevent harm,” said Earthjustice managing attorney Steve Mashuda. “Our efforts should be focused on saving the wild salmon populations we already have—not manufacturing new species that pose yet another threat to their survival.”
Studies have shown that there is a high risk for genetically engineered organisms to escape into the natural environment, and that genetically engineered salmon can crossbreed with native fish. So-called “transgenic contamination”—where genetically engineered crops cross-pollinate or establish themselves in nearby fields or the wild—has become common. These contamination episodes have cost U.S. farmers billions of dollars over the past decade. In wild organisms like fish, it would be even more damaging.
The Court also rejected FDA’s argument that it lacked authority to consider the adverse environmental impacts of GE animals, including the GE salmon. To find otherwise, the Court said, would lead to “absurd possibilities,” like approval of GE animals that could cause serious harm to other life. The Court held FDA had to consider environmental risks in its decision.
The lawsuit also highlights FDA’s failure to protect the environment and consult wildlife agencies in its review process, as required by federal law. U.S. Atlantic salmon, and many populations of Pacific salmon, are protected by the Endangered Species Act and in danger of extinction. Salmon are keystone species and unique salmon runs have sustained people and wildlife for thousands of years. Diverse salmon runs today remain essential to indigenous food sovereignty, sustaining thousands of American fishing families, and are highly valued in domestic markets as a healthy, domestic, “green” food.
“Salmon are at the center of our cultural and spiritual identity, diet, and way of life. It’s unconscionable and arrogant to think man can improve upon our Creator’s perfection as a justification for corporate ambition and greed,” said Fawn Sharp, Quinault Indian Nation President. “Our responsibility as stewards of our sacred salmon demands we aggressively protect their natural habitat and genetics. We applaud today’s court decision; our prayers were answered and justice prevailed.”
“It’s a terrible idea to design genetically engineered ‘Frankenfish’ which, when they escape into the wild (as they inevitably will), could destroy our irreplaceable salmon runs,” said Mike Conroy, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), one of the Plaintiff groups in the suit. “Once engineered genes are introduced into the wild salmon gene pool, it cannot be undone. This decision is a major victory for wild salmon, salmon fishing families and dependent communities, and salmon conservation efforts everywhere.”
“Genetically engineered salmon place wild salmon at risk and set a dangerous precedent for other genetically engineered animals, like cows and chickens designed to fit into factory farms, to enter the food system. We applaud the court for this carefully-reasoned decision,” said Dana Perls, Food and Technology program manager at Friends of the Earth U.S. “All products made with genetic engineering, especially live animals like genetically engineered salmon, should undergo thorough and precautionary assessment for impacts to our health and environment, be properly regulated and clearly labeled before entering the market.”
“Salmon fishermen and women don’t want to see these lab-made salmon in our waters nor in any market or restaurant where salmon is sold,” said John McManus, president of Golden State Salmon Association. “The federal Food and Drug Administration clearly let America down when it chose to overlook the environmental risk these fish pose.”
Represented by Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice, plaintiffs in the case include Institute for Fisheries Resources, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Cascadia Wildlands, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety, Ecology Action Centre, Food and Water Watch, Friends of the Earth, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, Golden Gate Salmon Association, and the Quinault Indian Nation.


sustainablepulse--2020-11-11--US EPA Assessment Shows Atrazine Causes Massive Harm to Endangered Species

The Environmental Protection Agency released an assessment last week finding that the endocrine-disrupting pesticide atrazine is likely to harm more than 1,000 of the nation ’ s most endangered plants and animals .
The finding is a result of the agency ’ s first-ever nationwide assessment of an herbicide ’ s harm to protected species , an analysis that ’ s required by the Endangered Species Act .
The assessment ’ s release comes just two months after the EPA reapproved the pesticide ’ s use for another 15 years .
“ Finally the EPA has been forced to acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Nathan Donley , a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity .
” This alarming assessment leaves no doubt that this hideously dangerous pesticide should be banned in the U.S. , just as it is across much of the world.
” Atrazine is a widespread pollutant of groundwater and drinking water , has been linked to increased risk of cancer and reproductive problems in people , and can chemically castrate male frogs at extremely low concentrations , including those allowed in drinking water .
Despite being banned in more than 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it remains the second-most used herbicide in the United States after glyphosate .
Today ’ s draft assessment is part of a legal agreement between the Center and the EPA .
It found that atrazine is likely to harm 1,013 protected species , or 56 % of all endangered plants and animals in the nation .
Species harmed include the highly endangered whooping crane , California red-legged frog and San Joaquin kit fox .
The risk of ongoing widespread harm was found despite major changes to the pesticide ’ s use restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively ban atrazine in Hawaii , on forests , on Christmas tree farms and along roadsides .
For endangered species found outside the proposed ban areas , the finding of harm was nearly 100 % .
Today ’ s draft assessment was conducted using a guidance document finalized earlier this year by the Trump administration , dubbed the “ Revised Methods , ” that disregarded the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences and ignored the mandate of the Endangered Species Act to give imperiled wildlife and plants the benefit of the doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by exposure to pesticides .
By using this new guidance — which precludes consideration of downstream runoff of pesticides into water bodies where endangered aquatic species , like fish and snails , live — the EPA has likely underestimated the true severity of the risk many species face from atrazine exposure .
Atrazine is widely present in U.S. surface waters and drinking-water supplies .
Earlier this year the EPA granted a request from atrazine ’ s maker , Syngenta , to suspend monitoring atrazine in waterways for 2020 .
The EPA had denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring atrazine in waterways , because it “ …has continued to show atrazine concentrations of potential ecological concern in the most vulnerable watersheds , even when stewardship programs are employed.
” “ With this troubling finding , even the EPA has been forced to acknowledge the unacceptable harm caused by atrazine , ” said Donley .
“ It ’ s beyond me how it can still be approved for such widespread use across this country.
” Draft evaluations for pesticides very similar to atrazine , simazine and propazine , were also released today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be reapproving atrazine for the next 15 years , eliminating longstanding safeguards for children ’ s health , and allowing 50 % more atrazine to end up in U.S. waterways .
The Center for Food Safety , Center for Biological Diversity and a coalition of public-interest groups sued to challenge that decision last week .

The Environmental Protection Agency released an assessment last week finding that the endocrine-disrupting pesticide atrazine is likely to harm more than 1,000 of the nation’s most endangered plants and animals.
The finding is a result of the agency’s first-ever nationwide assessment of an herbicide’s harm to protected species, an analysis that’s required by the Endangered Species Act.
The assessment’s release comes just two months after the EPA reapproved the pesticide’s use for another 15 years.
“Finally the EPA has been forced to acknowledge atrazine’s far-reaching harms,” said Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. ”This alarming assessment leaves no doubt that this hideously dangerous pesticide should be banned in the U.S., just as it is across much of the world.”
Atrazine is a widespread pollutant of groundwater and drinking water, has been linked to increased risk of cancer and reproductive problems in people, and can chemically castrate male frogs at extremely low concentrations, including those allowed in drinking water.
Despite being banned in more than 35 countries, including the entire European Union, it remains the second-most used herbicide in the United States after glyphosate.
Today’s draft assessment is part of a legal agreement between the Center and the EPA. It found that atrazine is likely to harm 1,013 protected species, or 56% of all endangered plants and animals in the nation. Species harmed include the highly endangered whooping crane, California red-legged frog and San Joaquin kit fox.
The risk of ongoing widespread harm was found despite major changes to the pesticide’s use restrictions announced by the EPA in September that effectively ban atrazine in Hawaii, on forests, on Christmas tree farms and along roadsides. For endangered species found outside the proposed ban areas, the finding of harm was nearly 100%.
Today’s draft assessment was conducted using a guidance document finalized earlier this year by the Trump administration, dubbed the “Revised Methods,” that disregarded the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences and ignored the mandate of the Endangered Species Act to give imperiled wildlife and plants the benefit of the doubt when evaluating the range of impacts caused by exposure to pesticides.
By using this new guidance — which precludes consideration of downstream runoff of pesticides into water bodies where endangered aquatic species, like fish and snails, live — the EPA has likely underestimated the true severity of the risk many species face from atrazine exposure.
Atrazine is widely present in U.S. surface waters and drinking-water supplies. Earlier this year the EPA granted a request from atrazine’s maker, Syngenta, to suspend monitoring atrazine in waterways for 2020. The EPA had denied Syngenta’s previous request to stop monitoring atrazine in waterways, because it “…has continued to show atrazine concentrations of potential ecological concern in the most vulnerable watersheds, even when stewardship programs are employed.”
“With this troubling finding, even the EPA has been forced to acknowledge the unacceptable harm caused by atrazine,” said Donley. “It’s beyond me how it can still be approved for such widespread use across this country.”
Draft evaluations for pesticides very similar to atrazine, simazine and propazine, were also released today.
In September the EPA announced it would be reapproving atrazine for the next 15 years, eliminating longstanding safeguards for children’s health, and allowing 50% more atrazine to end up in U.S. waterways. The Center for Food Safety, Center for Biological Diversity and a coalition of public-interest groups sued to challenge that decision last week.


sustainablepulse--2020-11-19--New Research Adds Evidence that Weed Killer Glyphosate Disrupts Hormones

New research is adding worrisome evidence to concerns that the widely used weedkilling chemical glyphosate may have the potential to interfere with human hormones , USRTK reported last week .
In a paper published in the journal Chemosphere titled Glyphosate and the key characteristics of an endocrine disruptor : A review , a trio of scientists concluded that glyphosate appears to have eight out of ten key characteristics associated with endocrine disrupting chemicals .
The authors cautioned , however , that prospective cohort studies are still needed to more clearly understand the impacts of glyphosate on the human endocrine system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tammy Bleak and Gloria Calaf , each affiliated with the University of Tarapacá in Chile , said their paper is the first review to consolidate the mechanistic evidence on glyphosate as an endocrine-disrupting chemical ( EDC ) .
Some of the evidence suggests that Roundup , Monsanto ’ s well-known glyphosate-based herbicide , can alter the biosynthesis of the sexual hormones , according to the researchers .
EDCs may mimic or interfere with the body ’ s hormones and are linked with developmental and reproductive problems as well as brain and immune system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year of an assortment of animal studies that indicated glyphosate exposures impact reproductive organs and threaten fertility .
Glyphosate is the world ’ s most widely used herbicide , sold in 140 countries .
Introduced commercially in 1974 by Monsanto Co , the chemical is the active ingredient in popular products such as Roundup and hundreds of other weed killers used by consumers , municipalities , utilities , farmers , golf course operators , and others around the world .
Dana Barr , a professor at Emory University ’ s Rollins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence “ tends to overwhelmingly indicate that glyphosate has endocrine disrupting properties.
” “ It ’ s not necessarily unexpected since glyphosate has some structural similarities with many other endocrine disrupting pesticides ; however , it is more concerning because glyphosate use far surpasses other pesticides , ” said Barr , who directs a program within a National Institutes of Health-funded human exposure research center housed at Emory .
“ Glyphosate is used on so many crops and in so many residential applications such that aggregate and cumulative exposures can be considerable.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Observatory on Pollution and Health , and a professor of biology at Boston College , said the review pulled together “ strong evidence ” that glyphosate is an endocrine disruptor .
“ The report is consistent with a larger body of literature indicating that glyphosate has a wide range of adverse health effects – findings that overturn Monsanto ’ s long-standing portrayal of glyphosate as a benign chemical with no negative impacts on human health , ” said Landrigan .
EDCs have been a subject of concern since the 1990s after a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in pesticides , industrial solvents , plastics , detergents , and other substances could have the capacity to disrupt connections between hormones and their receptors .
Scientists generally recognized ten functional properties of agents that alter hormone action , referring to these as ten “ key characteristics ” of endocrine-disruptors .
The ten characteristics are as follows : • Alter the fate of hormone-producing or hormone-responsive cells The authors of the new paper said a review of the mechanistic data showed that glyphosate met all of the key characteristics with the exception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no evidence associated with the antagonistic capacity of hormonal receptors , ” they said .
As well , “ there is no evidence of its impact on hormonal metabolism or clearance , ” according to the authors .
Research over the last few decades has largely focused on links found between glyphosate and cancer , particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma ( NHL . )
In 2015 , the World Health Organization ’ s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen .
More than 100,000 people have sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the company ’ s glyphosate-based herbicides caused them or their loved ones to develop NHL .
The plaintiffs in the nationwide litigation also claim Monsanto has long sought to hide the risks of its herbicides .
Monsanto lost three out of three trials and its German owner Bayer AG has spent the last year and a half trying to settle the litigation out of court .
The authors of the new paper took note of the ubiquitous nature of glyphosate , saying “ massive use ” of the chemical has “ led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including rising exposures tied to human consumption of the weed killer through food .
The researchers said that though regulators say the levels of glyphosate residue commonly found in foods are low enough to be safe , they “ can not rule out ” a “ potential risk ” to people consuming foods containing contaminated with the chemical , particularly grains and other plant-based foods , which often have higher levels than milk , meat or fish products .
U.S. government documents show glyphosate residues have been detected in a range of foods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and crackers .
Canadian government researchers have also reported glyphosate residues in foods .
One report issued in 2019 by scientists from Canada ’ s Agri-Food Laboratories at the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry found glyphosate in 197 of 200 samples of honey they examined .
Despite the concerns about glyphosate impacts on human health , including through dietary exposure , U.S. regulators have steadfastly defended the safety of the chemical .
The Environmental Protection Agency maintains that it has not found ” any human health risks from exposure to glyphosate .
@

New research is adding worrisome evidence to concerns that the widely used weedkilling chemical glyphosate may have the potential to interfere with human hormones, USRTK reported last week.
In a paper published in the journal Chemosphere titled Glyphosate and the key characteristics of an endocrine disruptor: A review, a trio of scientists concluded that glyphosate appears to have eight out of ten key characteristics associated with endocrine disrupting chemicals . The authors cautioned, however, that prospective cohort studies are still needed to more clearly understand the impacts of glyphosate on the human endocrine system.
The authors, Juan Munoz, Tammy Bleak and Gloria Calaf, each affiliated with the University of Tarapacá in Chile, said their paper is the first review to consolidate the mechanistic evidence on glyphosate as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC).
Some of the evidence suggests that Roundup, Monsanto’s well-known glyphosate-based herbicide, can alter the biosynthesis of the sexual hormones, according to the researchers.
EDCs may mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones and are linked with developmental and reproductive problems as well as brain and immune system dysfunction.
The new paper follows publication earlier this year of an assortment of animal studies that indicated glyphosate exposures impact reproductive organs and threaten fertility.
Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used herbicide, sold in 140 countries. Introduced commercially in 1974 by Monsanto Co, the chemical is the active ingredient in popular products such as Roundup and hundreds of other weed killers used by consumers, municipalities, utilities, farmers, golf course operators, and others around the world.
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Out Your Long-Term Exposure
Dana Barr, a professor at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, said the evidence “tends to overwhelmingly indicate that glyphosate has endocrine disrupting properties.”
“It’s not necessarily unexpected since glyphosate has some structural similarities with many other endocrine disrupting pesticides; however, it is more concerning because glyphosate use far surpasses other pesticides,” said Barr, who directs a program within a National Institutes of Health-funded human exposure research center housed at Emory. “Glyphosate is used on so many crops and in so many residential applications such that aggregate and cumulative exposures can be considerable.”
Phil Landrigan, director of the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health, and a professor of biology at Boston College, said the review pulled together “strong evidence” that glyphosate is an endocrine disruptor.
“The report is consistent with a larger body of literature indicating that glyphosate has a wide range of adverse health effects – findings that overturn Monsanto’s long-standing portrayal of glyphosate as a benign chemical with no negative impacts on human health,” said Landrigan.
EDCs have been a subject of concern since the 1990s after a series of publications suggested that some chemicals commonly used in pesticides, industrial solvents, plastics, detergents, and other substances could have the capacity to disrupt connections between hormones and their receptors.
Scientists generally recognized ten functional properties of agents that alter hormone action, referring to these as ten “key characteristics” of endocrine-disruptors. The ten characteristics are as follows:
EDC’s can:
Alter hormone distribution of circulating levels of hormones
Induce alterations in hormone metabolism or clearance
Alter the fate of hormone-producing or hormone-responsive cells
Alter hormone receptor expression
Antagonize hormone receptors
Interact with or activate hormone receptors
Alter signal transduction in hormone-responsive cells
Induce epigenetic modifications in hormone-producing or hormone-responsive cells
Alter hormone synthesis
Alter hormone transport across cell membranes
The authors of the new paper said a review of the mechanistic data showed that glyphosate met all of the key characteristics with the exception of two: “Regarding glyphosate, there is no evidence associated with the antagonistic capacity of hormonal receptors,” they said. As well, “there is no evidence of its impact on hormonal metabolism or clearance,” according to the authors.
Research over the last few decades has largely focused on links found between glyphosate and cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL.) In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen.
More than 100,000 people have sued Monsanto in the United States alleging exposure to the company’s glyphosate-based herbicides caused them or their loved ones to develop NHL.
The plaintiffs in the nationwide litigation also claim Monsanto has long sought to hide the risks of its herbicides. Monsanto lost three out of three trials and its German owner Bayer AG has spent the last year and a half trying to settle the litigation out of court.
The authors of the new paper took note of the ubiquitous nature of glyphosate, saying “massive use” of the chemical has “led to a wide environmental diffusion,” including rising exposures tied to human consumption of the weed killer through food.
The researchers said that though regulators say the levels of glyphosate residue commonly found in foods are low enough to be safe, they “cannot rule out” a “potential risk” to people consuming foods containing contaminated with the chemical, particularly grains and other plant-based foods, which often have higher levels than milk, meat or fish products.
U.S. government documents show glyphosate residues have been detected in a range of foods, including organic honey, and granola and crackers.
Canadian government researchers have also reported glyphosate residues in foods. One report issued in 2019 by scientists from Canada’s Agri-Food Laboratories at the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry found glyphosate in 197 of 200 samples of honey they examined.
Despite the concerns about glyphosate impacts on human health, including through dietary exposure, U.S. regulators have steadfastly defended the safety of the chemical. The Environmental Protection Agency maintains that it has not found ”any human health risks from exposure to glyphosate.”


sustainablepulse--2020-11-25--New Bioinformatics Tool Reveals 54% of Human Gut Microbiome Potentially Sensitive to Glyphosate

Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland have developed a new bioinformatics tool to predict if a microbe , e.g .
a human gut bacterium , is sensitive to the world ’ s most used weedkiller , glyphosate .
The tool has revealed that 54 % of the human core gut bacterial species are potentially sensitive to the chemical herbicide .
“ Glyphosate targets an enzyme called EPSPS in the shikimate pathway .
This enzyme is crucial to synthesizing three essential amino acids .
Based on the structure of the EPSPS enzyme , we are able to classify 80-90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistant to glyphosate , ” says Docent Pere Puigbò , developer of the new bioinformatics tool .
“ This groundbreaking study provides tools for further studies to determine the actual impact of glyphosate on human and animal gut microbiota and thus to their health , ” explains Docent Marjo Helander .
Glyphosate was previously thought to be safe to use because shikimate pathway is found only in plants , fungi and bacteria .
However , glyphosate may have a strong impact on bacterial species in the human microbiome , and several recent studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gut microbiome are connected to many diseases .
Therefore , the widespread use of glyphosate may have a strong effect on gut microbiomes as well as on human health .
The dominance of this herbicide in the pesticide market is mainly attributed to the use of transgenic crops , such as soy , corn and canola , which are often grown as glyphosate-resistant varieties outside Europe .
In North America and Europe , glyphosate is commonly used to desiccate cereal , bean and seed crops before harvest .
It is also used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cropping systems .
The risk to come across glyphosate residue in food that has been grown in Finland is small , because desiccation of the cereal fields by glyphosate is not allowed in Finland .
A rich and diverse microbial community is living in soil , on plant surfaces , and in animal guts .
It is possible that even low glyphosate residue may indirectly affect pest and pathogen occurrence in these communities .
“ In addition to bioinformatics , we need experimental research to study the effects of glyphosate on microbial communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Previous studies have already shown some of the damage glyphosate causes to the gut microbiota : A groundbreaking pilot study published in May 2018 by Italian and U.S. scientists showed that exposures to commonly used Glyphosate-Based Herbicides , at doses considered safe , are capable of modifying the gut microbiota in early development , particularly before the onset of puberty in rats .
Proof that glyphosate herbicides can inhibit the EPSPS enzyme and the shikimate pathway in gut bacteria had also been lacking until recently .
But a new study from late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed happen .

Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland have developed a new bioinformatics tool to predict if a microbe, e.g. a human gut bacterium, is sensitive to the world’s most used weedkiller, glyphosate. The tool has revealed that 54% of the human core gut bacterial species are potentially sensitive to the chemical herbicide.
“Glyphosate targets an enzyme called EPSPS in the shikimate pathway. This enzyme is crucial to synthesizing three essential amino acids. Based on the structure of the EPSPS enzyme, we are able to classify 80-90% of microbial species into sensitive or resistant to glyphosate,” says Docent Pere Puigbò, developer of the new bioinformatics tool.
“This groundbreaking study provides tools for further studies to determine the actual impact of glyphosate on human and animal gut microbiota and thus to their health,” explains Docent Marjo Helander.
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Out Your Long-Term Exposure
Glyphosate was previously thought to be safe to use because shikimate pathway is found only in plants, fungi and bacteria. However, glyphosate may have a strong impact on bacterial species in the human microbiome, and several recent studies have shown that perturbations in the human gut microbiome are connected to many diseases. Therefore, the widespread use of glyphosate may have a strong effect on gut microbiomes as well as on human health.
The dominance of this herbicide in the pesticide market is mainly attributed to the use of transgenic crops, such as soy, corn and canola, which are often grown as glyphosate-resistant varieties outside Europe. In North America and Europe, glyphosate is commonly used to desiccate cereal, bean and seed crops before harvest. It is also used to eradicate weeds prior to sowing in no-till cropping systems.
The risk to come across glyphosate residue in food that has been grown in Finland is small, because desiccation of the cereal fields by glyphosate is not allowed in Finland.
A rich and diverse microbial community is living in soil, on plant surfaces, and in animal guts. It is possible that even low glyphosate residue may indirectly affect pest and pathogen occurrence in these communities.
“In addition to bioinformatics, we need experimental research to study the effects of glyphosate on microbial communities in variable environments,” Helander adds.
Previous studies have already shown some of the damage glyphosate causes to the gut microbiota:
Global Glyphosate Study Pilot Results Show Microbiota Damage
A groundbreaking pilot study published in May 2018 by Italian and U.S. scientists showed that exposures to commonly used Glyphosate-Based Herbicides, at doses considered safe, are capable of modifying the gut microbiota in early development, particularly before the onset of puberty in rats.
Proof that glyphosate herbicides can inhibit the EPSPS enzyme and the shikimate pathway in gut bacteria had also been lacking until recently. But a new study from late 2019 proved beyond doubt that this does indeed happen.


sustainablepulse--2020-11-28--US EPA Evaluation Finds Glyphosate Likely to Injure or Kill 93% of Endangered Species

The Environmental Protection Agency released a draft biological evaluation on Wednesday finding that glyphosate is likely to injure or kill 93 % of the plants and animals protected under the Endangered Species Act .
The long-anticipated draft biological evaluation released by the agency ’ s pesticide office found that 1,676 endangered species are likely to be harmed by glyphosate , the active ingredient in Roundup and the world ’ s most-used pesticide .
The draft biological opinion also found that glyphosate adversely modifies critical habitat for 759 endangered species , or 96 % of all species for which critical habitat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts of glyphosate on the nation ’ s most endangered species are impossible to ignore now , ” said Lori Ann Burd , environmental health director at the Center for Biological Diversity .
“ Glyphosate use is so widespread that even the EPA ’ s notoriously industry-friendly pesticide office had to conclude that there are hardly any endangered species that can manage to evade its toxic impacts.
” Hundreds of millions of pounds of glyphosate are used each year in the United States , mostly in agriculture but also on lawns , gardens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national forests , rangelands , power lines and more .
According to the EPA , 280 million pounds of glyphosate are used just in agriculture , and glyphosate is sprayed on 298 million acres of crop land each year .
Eighty-four percent of glyphosate pounds applied in agriculture are applied to soy , corn and cotton , commodity crops that are genetically engineered to tolerate being drenched with quantities of glyphosate that would normally kill a plant .
Glyphosate is also widely used in oats , wheat , pulses , fruit and vegetable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the extinction of amazing creatures like monarch butterflies , we need the EPA to take action to stop the out-of-control spraying of deadly poisons , ” Burd continued .
The EPA has , for decades , steadfastly refused to comply with its obligation under the Endangered Species Act to assess the harms of pesticides to protected plants and animals .
But it was finally forced to do this evaluation under the terms of a 2016 legal agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity .
Emails obtained in litigation brought against Monsanto/Bayer by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disturbingly cozy relationship between the agency and the company on matters involving the glyphosate risk assessment .
In one example , when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would be reviewing glyphosate ’ s safety , an EPA official assured Monsanto he would work to thwart the review , saying , “ If I can kill this , I should get a medal.
” The Health and Human Services review was delayed for three years.on.
” Earlier this year , relying on confidential industry research , the EPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment contradicts a 2015 World Health Organization analysis of published research that determined glyphosate is a probable carcinogen .

The Environmental Protection Agency released a draft biological evaluation on Wednesday finding that glyphosate is likely to injure or kill 93% of the plants and animals protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The long-anticipated draft biological evaluation released by the agency’s pesticide office found that 1,676 endangered species are likely to be harmed by glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and the world’s most-used pesticide.
The draft biological opinion also found that glyphosate adversely modifies critical habitat for 759 endangered species, or 96% of all species for which critical habitat has been designated.
“The hideous impacts of glyphosate on the nation’s most endangered species are impossible to ignore now,” said Lori Ann Burd, environmental health director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Glyphosate use is so widespread that even the EPA’s notoriously industry-friendly pesticide office had to conclude that there are hardly any endangered species that can manage to evade its toxic impacts.”
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Out Your Long-Term Exposure
Hundreds of millions of pounds of glyphosate are used each year in the United States, mostly in agriculture but also on lawns, gardens, landscaping, roadsides, schoolyards, national forests, rangelands, power lines and more.
According to the EPA, 280 million pounds of glyphosate are used just in agriculture, and glyphosate is sprayed on 298 million acres of crop land each year. Eighty-four percent of glyphosate pounds applied in agriculture are applied to soy, corn and cotton, commodity crops that are genetically engineered to tolerate being drenched with quantities of glyphosate that would normally kill a plant.
Glyphosate is also widely used in oats, wheat, pulses, fruit and vegetable production.
“If we want to stop the extinction of amazing creatures like monarch butterflies, we need the EPA to take action to stop the out-of-control spraying of deadly poisons,” Burd continued.
The EPA has, for decades, steadfastly refused to comply with its obligation under the Endangered Species Act to assess the harms of pesticides to protected plants and animals. But it was finally forced to do this evaluation under the terms of a 2016 legal agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity.
Emails obtained in litigation brought against Monsanto/Bayer by cancer victims and their families have uncovered a disturbingly cozy relationship between the agency and the company on matters involving the glyphosate risk assessment.
In one example, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would be reviewing glyphosate’s safety, an EPA official assured Monsanto he would work to thwart the review, saying, “If I can kill this, I should get a medal.” The Health and Human Services review was delayed for three years.on.”
Earlier this year, relying on confidential industry research, the EPA reapproved glyphosate. The EPA’s assessment contradicts a 2015 World Health Organization analysis of published research that determined glyphosate is a probable carcinogen.


sustainablepulse--2020-12-10--Glyphosate Causes Genetic Changes Leading to Increased Disease in Future Generations – New Study

Exposure to the widely used weed-killer glyphosate makes genetic changes to rats that can be linked to increased disease in their grandchildren and great-grandchildren , a new study has found .
The study provides evidence that glyphosate-induced changes to sperm from exposed rats could be used as biomarkers for determining propensity in subsequent generations for prostate and kidney diseases as well as obesity and incurring multiple diseases at once .
In fact , by the time third- and fourth-generation rats whose predecessors had been exposed to the chemical were middle-aged , 90 % had one or more of these health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the control group .
While limited in scope , the study , which tested generational groups of around 50 rats each , provides a proof of concept that could lead to a new medical diagnostic tool , said Michael Skinner , the corresponding author on the study published in the journal Epigenetics on Dec. 9 .
“ While we can ’ t fix what ’ s wrong in the individual who is exposed , we can potentially use this to diagnose if someone has a higher chance of getting kidney or prostate disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a therapeutic or lifestyle change to help mitigate or prevent the disease , ” said Skinner , a professor of biological sciences at Washington State University .
This study follows a 2019 paper in Scientific Reports in which Skinner ’ s lab demonstrated the ability of glyphosate to promote the transgenerational inheritance of disease in mice .
Glyphosate is widely used in agriculture and common in the human food supply .
Previous research has indicated that the chemical has limited toxicology for those that ingest it since it has a short half-life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , Skinner ’ s research and other animal studies have provided evidence that health effects from glyphosate and other chemicals can be inherited by subsequent generations .
In this current study , the research team took those findings further by identifying genetic changes in the rats ’ sperm caused by the chemical .
Sperm have a unique property in their DNA , a group of proteins called histones that are connected like beads on a string .
Skinner and his colleagues found that glyphosate exposure causes the sperm to accumulate hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correlated those histones to specific diseases in subsequent generations .
“ We need to change how we think about toxicology , ” Skinner said .
“ Today worldwide , we only assess direct exposure toxicology ; we don ’ t consider subsequent generational toxicity .
We do have some responsibility to our future generations.
” The study focuses on sperm , but the researchers anticipate the same ability to find markers in the female germline or eggs .
Additional research is needed , first replicating this study in larger groups of animals which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more precisely .
Ultimately , the goal would be able to produce diagnostic tests for humans , but replicating the studies in humans will be challenging simply because glyphosate is so ubiquitous in our diet , Skinner said .
“ Right now , it ’ s very difficult to find a population that is not exposed to glyphosate to have a control group for comparison , ” he said .

Exposure to the widely used weed-killer glyphosate makes genetic changes to rats that can be linked to increased disease in their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a new study has found.
The study provides evidence that glyphosate-induced changes to sperm from exposed rats could be used as biomarkers for determining propensity in subsequent generations for prostate and kidney diseases as well as obesity and incurring multiple diseases at once. In fact, by the time third- and fourth-generation rats whose predecessors had been exposed to the chemical were middle-aged, 90% had one or more of these health problems, a dramatically higher rate than the control group.
While limited in scope, the study, which tested generational groups of around 50 rats each, provides a proof of concept that could lead to a new medical diagnostic tool, said Michael Skinner, the corresponding author on the study published in the journal Epigenetics on Dec. 9.
“While we can’t fix what’s wrong in the individual who is exposed, we can potentially use this to diagnose if someone has a higher chance of getting kidney or prostate disease later in life, and then prescribe a therapeutic or lifestyle change to help mitigate or prevent the disease,” said Skinner, a professor of biological sciences at Washington State University.
This study follows a 2019 paper in Scientific Reports in which Skinner’s lab demonstrated the ability of glyphosate to promote the transgenerational inheritance of disease in mice.
Glyphosate is widely used in agriculture and common in the human food supply. Previous research has indicated that the chemical has limited toxicology for those that ingest it since it has a short half-life and breaks down in the body quickly. However, Skinner’s research and other animal studies have provided evidence that health effects from glyphosate and other chemicals can be inherited by subsequent generations.
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Out Your Long-Term Exposure
In this current study, the research team took those findings further by identifying genetic changes in the rats’ sperm caused by the chemical. Sperm have a unique property in their DNA, a group of proteins called histones that are connected like beads on a string. Skinner and his colleagues found that glyphosate exposure causes the sperm to accumulate hundreds of new histones retention sites, and they correlated those histones to specific diseases in subsequent generations.
“We need to change how we think about toxicology,” Skinner said. “Today worldwide, we only assess direct exposure toxicology; we don’t consider subsequent generational toxicity. We do have some responsibility to our future generations.”
The study focuses on sperm, but the researchers anticipate the same ability to find markers in the female germline or eggs. Additional research is needed, first replicating this study in larger groups of animals which would help pinpoint the disease susceptibility rates more precisely. Ultimately, the goal would be able to produce diagnostic tests for humans, but replicating the studies in humans will be challenging simply because glyphosate is so ubiquitous in our diet, Skinner said.
“Right now, it’s very difficult to find a population that is not exposed to glyphosate to have a control group for comparison,” he said.


sustainablepulse--2020-12-10--Pesticide Poisoning Booms Globally with 385 Million Cases a Year

In a comprehensive study released Wednesday , scientists report that pesticide poisonings on farms around the world have risen dramatically since the last global assessment 30 years ago .
Based on an evaluation of available poisoning data from countries all over the world , the researchers conclude that there are about 385 million cases of acute poisonings each year , up from an estimated 25 million cases in 1990 .
This means that about 44 % of the global population working on farms — 860 million farmers and agricultural workers – are poisoned every year .
The systematic review of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Public Health .
The article , entitled “ The global distribution of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning : Estimations based on a systematic review , ” is the first such global estimate since 1990 .
“ These findings underscore the urgency of reducing and eliminating the use of highly hazardous pesticides , ” says Kristin Schafer , coordinator of Pesticide Action Network ( PAN ) International .
“ These pesticides are causing the unacceptable poisoning of those who produce our food , but also chronic health effects such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse of biodiversity .
Time for global action is long overdue.
” The study found that the greatest number of non-fatal poisoning cases was in southern Asia , followed by Southeast Asia and East Africa .
The highest single national incidence was in Burkina Faso , where nearly 84 % of farmers and farm workers experience unintentional acute pesticide poisonings annually .
Total fatalities around the world from unintended pesticide poisonings are estimated at around 11,000 deaths per year .
Nearly 60 % of which occur in just one country , India , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the researchers .
“ Pesticide poisonings are a public health crisis that must be addressed , ” said Sarojeni Rengam , Executive Director of PAN Asia Pacific .
“ Beyond the immediate suffering , poisonings can also reflect exposure that cause long term , chronic health effects .
It ’ s shocking and shameful that this problem has gotten worse rather than better over the past 30 years.
” The authors of the new study conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2006 and 2018 , selecting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 papers for eligibility according to set criteria , and additional data from the WHO cause-of-death database .
The data covered 141 countries in total .
Most studies focused on occupational poisonings , particularly of farmers and agricultural workers .
“ We realize there are limitations in the data on pesticide poisonings , ” notes Javier Souza , PAN Latin America ’ s coordinator .
“ But this study clearly shows this as a serious , global problem that warrants immediate action .
Highly hazardous pesticides must be phased out by 2030 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must shift to healthier and more resilient systems like agroecology .
” The estimated number of global nonfatal unintended pesticide poisonings in the current study is significantly greater than previous estimates .
This is in part because the current study covers a greater number of countries , and also because there has been an 81 % increase in pesticide use since 1990 ( an estimated 4.1 million tonnes of pesticides were used worldwide in 2017 ) .
The researchers point to underreporting to explain the relatively low estimates of fatalities .
Underreporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall , as many country-specific reporting systems lack a central reporting point or lack a legal mechanism requiring incident reporting .
The authors conclude that the heavy burden of non-fatal unintended pesticide poisonings , particularly for farmers and farmworkers , brings into focus the current policy bias towards focusing only on fatalities , and the need to more seriously address the overall pesticide poisoning problem in international and national policies and regulations .
Note : While this study did not cover pesticide poisoning suicides , an estimated 14 million people have died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1960s .
A recent systematic review of data on suicides from 2006-2015 , which this review did not cover , found that pesticides accounted for 14-20 % of global suicides leading to 110,000-168,000 deaths annually during the period 2010-2014 .

In a comprehensive study released Wednesday, scientists report that pesticide poisonings on farms around the world have risen dramatically since the last global assessment 30 years ago. Based on an evaluation of available poisoning data from countries all over the world, the researchers conclude that there are about 385 million cases of acute poisonings each year, up from an estimated 25 million cases in 1990.
This means that about 44% of the global population working on farms — 860 million farmers and agricultural workers – are poisoned every year.
The systematic review of unintentional acute pesticide poisonings was published today in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Public Health. The article, entitled “The global distribution of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning: Estimations based on a systematic review,” is the first such global estimate since 1990.
“These findings underscore the urgency of reducing and eliminating the use of highly hazardous pesticides,” says Kristin Schafer, coordinator of Pesticide Action Network (PAN) International. “These pesticides are causing the unacceptable poisoning of those who produce our food, but also chronic health effects such as cancer and ecological impacts such as the collapse of biodiversity. Time for global action is long overdue.”
The study found that the greatest number of non-fatal poisoning cases was in southern Asia, followed by Southeast Asia and East Africa. The highest single national incidence was in Burkina Faso, where nearly 84% of farmers and farm workers experience unintentional acute pesticide poisonings annually.
Total fatalities around the world from unintended pesticide poisonings are estimated at around 11,000 deaths per year. Nearly 60% of which occur in just one country, India, indicating serious problems with pesticide use, according to the researchers.
“Pesticide poisonings are a public health crisis that must be addressed,” said Sarojeni Rengam, Executive Director of PAN Asia Pacific. “Beyond the immediate suffering, poisonings can also reflect exposure that cause long term, chronic health effects. It’s shocking and shameful that this problem has gotten worse rather than better over the past 30 years.”
The authors of the new study conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2006 and 2018, selecting a total of 157 papers after assessing over 800 papers for eligibility according to set criteria, and additional data from the WHO cause-of-death database. The data covered 141 countries in total. Most studies focused on occupational poisonings, particularly of farmers and agricultural workers.
“We realize there are limitations in the data on pesticide poisonings,” notes Javier Souza, PAN Latin America’s coordinator. “But this study clearly shows this as a serious, global problem that warrants immediate action. Highly hazardous pesticides must be phased out by 2030 to meet global Sustainable Development Goals, and we must shift to healthier and more resilient systems like agroecology. ”
The estimated number of global nonfatal unintended pesticide poisonings in the current study is significantly greater than previous estimates. This is in part because the current study covers a greater number of countries, and also because there has been an 81% increase in pesticide use since 1990 (an estimated 4.1 million tonnes of pesticides were used worldwide in 2017). The researchers point to underreporting to explain the relatively low estimates of fatalities. Underreporting is also an issue for pesticide poisonings overall, as many country-specific reporting systems lack a central reporting point or lack a legal mechanism requiring incident reporting.
The authors conclude that the heavy burden of non-fatal unintended pesticide poisonings, particularly for farmers and farmworkers, brings into focus the current policy bias towards focusing only on fatalities, and the need to more seriously address the overall pesticide poisoning problem in international and national policies and regulations.
Note: While this study did not cover pesticide poisoning suicides, an estimated 14 million people have died from suicide using pesticides since the Green Revolution in the 1960s. A recent systematic review of data on suicides from 2006-2015, which this review did not cover, found that pesticides accounted for 14-20% of global suicides leading to 110,000-168,000 deaths annually during the period 2010-2014.


sustainablepulse--2020-12-18--Mexico Confirms Phase-Out of GMO Corn and Glyphosate Herbicides as World Recognizes Leydy Pech

A decree was released last week on Mexico ’ s National Commission for Regulatory Improvement ( CONAMER ) website that confirms a phase-out of use of both glyphosate and genetically modified ( GMO ) corn for human consumption in Mexico by 2024 .
The decree states that use of the herbicide glyphosate will be phased out over the next four years , although glyphosate will not be used in any government-sponsored program during that transition period .
The draft also includes an article that requires the revocation of existing and future permits for both the cultivation of GMO corn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumption .
The use of GMO corn in human consumption would be phased out no later than January 31 , 2024 .
On Monday , Mexico ’ s Organic Producers ’ Society welcomed the latest proposal , but proposed a special label be established to certify products that are free of glyphosate .
“ We do not use glyphosate on our crops , but we have been the victims of external contamination by this substance anyway ” said Homero Blas Bustamante , president of the organic society .
“ This has caused economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coffee and honey.
” This latest decree follows on from an announcement in June by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources ( SEMARNAT ) , Mexico ’ s Environment Ministry , which stated that glyphosate-based herbicides would be phased out of use in the country by 2024 to protect human health and the environment .
Dr. Adelita San Vicente Tello , Director General of the Primary Sector and Renewable Natural Resources at SEMARNAT , announced the news after participating in the meeting ‘ Why will Mexico join the ban on glyphosate ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Mexico ’ s ( UNAM ) Academic Observatory of Society , Environment and Institutions .
San Vicente Tello said that , together with the National Council of Science and Technology , she is analyzing alternatives to the use of glyphosate-herbicides for large-scale agricultural production , as there are many weed management experiences with methods that farmers themselves and indigenous communities have applied for thousands of years .
In addition , government education campaigns are being prepared with different medias , such as infographics and videos that will be translated into several languages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources on the effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on the environment and health , with the purpose of alerting the population to the risks involved from their use .
During and after these campaigns the general public and specific communities can draw their own conclusions .
Finally , San Vicente Tello reiterated that in the face of this problem we all have to act , because “ beyond productivity , there is human and environmental health ” .
The World has also started to recognize the key figures in the fight against Biotech and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pech having recently been awarded the Goldman Environmental Award .
Leydy Pech , an indigenous Mayan beekeeper , led a coalition that successfully halted Monsanto ’ s planting of genetically modified soybeans in southern Mexico .
The Mexican Supreme Court ruled that the government violated the Mayans ’ constitutional rights and suspended the planting of genetically modified soybeans .
Because of the persistence of Pech and her coalition , in September 2017 , Mexico ’ s Food and Agricultural Service revoked Monsanto ’ s permit to grow genetically modified soybeans in seven states @

A decree was released last week on Mexico’s National Commission for Regulatory Improvement (CONAMER) website that confirms a phase-out of use of both glyphosate and genetically modified (GMO) corn for human consumption in Mexico by 2024.
The decree states that use of the herbicide glyphosate will be phased out over the next four years, although glyphosate will not be used in any government-sponsored program during that transition period. The draft also includes an article that requires the revocation of existing and future permits for both the cultivation of GMO corn and the use of GMO corn for human consumption. The use of GMO corn in human consumption would be phased out no later than January 31, 2024.
On Monday, Mexico’s Organic Producers’ Society welcomed the latest proposal, but proposed a special label be established to certify products that are free of glyphosate.
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Farmers and Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Out Your Long-Term Exposure
“We do not use glyphosate on our crops, but we have been the victims of external contamination by this substance anyway” said Homero Blas Bustamante, president of the organic society. “This has caused economic losses for organic producers, mainly of coffee and honey.”
This latest decree follows on from an announcement in June by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Mexico’s Environment Ministry, which stated that glyphosate-based herbicides would be phased out of use in the country by 2024 to protect human health and the environment.
Dr. Adelita San Vicente Tello, Director General of the Primary Sector and Renewable Natural Resources at SEMARNAT, announced the news after participating in the meeting ‘Why will Mexico join the ban on glyphosate?’ organized by the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s (UNAM) Academic Observatory of Society, Environment and Institutions.
San Vicente Tello said that, together with the National Council of Science and Technology, she is analyzing alternatives to the use of glyphosate-herbicides for large-scale agricultural production, as there are many weed management experiences with methods that farmers themselves and indigenous communities have applied for thousands of years.
In addition, government education campaigns are being prepared with different medias, such as infographics and videos that will be translated into several languages and will include data and independent scientific sources on the effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on the environment and health, with the purpose of alerting the population to the risks involved from their use. During and after these campaigns the general public and specific communities can draw their own conclusions.
Finally, San Vicente Tello reiterated that in the face of this problem we all have to act, because “beyond productivity, there is human and environmental health”.
Leydy Pech Wins Prestigious Goldman Environmental Award
The World has also started to recognize the key figures in the fight against Biotech and chemical companies in Mexico, with Leydy Pech having recently been awarded the Goldman Environmental Award.
Leydy Pech, an indigenous Mayan beekeeper, led a coalition that successfully halted Monsanto’s planting of genetically modified soybeans in southern Mexico. The Mexican Supreme Court ruled that the government violated the Mayans’ constitutional rights and suspended the planting of genetically modified soybeans. Because of the persistence of Pech and her coalition, in September 2017, Mexico’s Food and Agricultural Service revoked Monsanto’s permit to grow genetically modified soybeans in seven states.


sustainablepulse--2020-12-17--Roundup Causes Significant DNA Damage to Keystone Species – University of Birmingham Study

Prolonged exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of the weedkiller Roundup causes significant harm to keystone species according to new research at the University of Birmingham in the UK .
A team in the University ’ s School of Biosciences used waterfleas , or Daphnia , to test the effects prolonged exposure to concentrations of Roundup deemed safe by regulatory agencies .
They found that even at approved regulatory levels , the weedkiller causes embryonic development failure , significant DNA damage , and also interferes with the animals ’ metabolism and gut function .
These findings are important since Daphnia are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They can be used to assess the impacts of environmental changes on ecosystems .
The results also offer a starting point for tracking these effects across different species , including the potential effects of herbicides on humans .
Lead researcher , Dr Luisa Orsini , says : “ Research surrounding Roundup has been controversial since it first appeared on the market in the 1970s .
Claims that it causes diseases and disorders ranging from cancer to autism stack up against industry-paid reports arguing that the product has no untoward effects .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence is rooted in outdated toxicity tests which only look at the number of animals that die on exposure to extremely high concentrations of these chemicals .
These tests also overlook the pathological effects arising from long-term exposure to low doses .
“ What we ’ re proposing is that toxicity is measured by looking at what happens to the animal at a molecular and fitness level following long-term exposure , which encompasses the entire animal life cycle.
” This ‘ systems biology ’ approach will enable researchers to understand the changes caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the ability to metabolize sugars or to repair wound tissue .
By using similarity in molecular functions across species , the researchers can also infer the implications of these chemicals on humans .
The approach tested by the researchers can be applied to a wide number of chemicals in the environment .
As well as herbicides , the team is applying their methods to investigate insectides , antinflammatory drugs , antibiotics and heavy metals ( arsenic ) , commonly found in contaminated water supplies around the world .
The team is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring new methods to regulatory agencies to screen for chemicals and their effect on biodiversity .
Scientists and the Environment Agency have a long term goal of modernizing environmental practice to more effectively regulate the use of chemicals and mitigate their impact on humans and the environment .
“ Using our methods it will be possible to identify and rank the most harmful chemicals that are getting into the environment , ” says Dr Orsini .
“ We can ’ t stop environmental contamination in one step , but by identifying the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners in a more targeted and effective way .
”

Prolonged exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of the weedkiller Roundup causes significant harm to keystone species according to new research at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
A team in the University’s School of Biosciences used waterfleas, or Daphnia, to test the effects prolonged exposure to concentrations of Roundup deemed safe by regulatory agencies.
They found that even at approved regulatory levels, the weedkiller causes embryonic development failure, significant DNA damage, and also interferes with the animals’ metabolism and gut function.
These findings are important since Daphnia are at the heart of aquatic food webs. They can be used to assess the impacts of environmental changes on ecosystems. The results also offer a starting point for tracking these effects across different species, including the potential effects of herbicides on humans.
Lead researcher, Dr Luisa Orsini, says: “Research surrounding Roundup has been controversial since it first appeared on the market in the 1970s. Claims that it causes diseases and disorders ranging from cancer to autism stack up against industry-paid reports arguing that the product has no untoward effects.
“The problem is that much of the evidence is rooted in outdated toxicity tests which only look at the number of animals that die on exposure to extremely high concentrations of these chemicals. These tests also overlook the pathological effects arising from long-term exposure to low doses.
“What we’re proposing is that toxicity is measured by looking at what happens to the animal at a molecular and fitness level following long-term exposure, which encompasses the entire animal life cycle.”
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This ‘systems biology’ approach will enable researchers to understand the changes caused by these chemicals on fundamental functions, such as the ability to metabolize sugars or to repair wound tissue. By using similarity in molecular functions across species, the researchers can also infer the implications of these chemicals on humans.
The approach tested by the researchers can be applied to a wide number of chemicals in the environment. As well as herbicides, the team is applying their methods to investigate insectides, antinflammatory drugs, antibiotics and heavy metals (arsenic), commonly found in contaminated water supplies around the world.
The team is working with the UK Environment Agency to bring new methods to regulatory agencies to screen for chemicals and their effect on biodiversity. Scientists and the Environment Agency have a long term goal of modernizing environmental practice to more effectively regulate the use of chemicals and mitigate their impact on humans and the environment.
“Using our methods it will be possible to identify and rank the most harmful chemicals that are getting into the environment,” says Dr Orsini. “We can’t stop environmental contamination in one step, but by identifying the worst offenders, we can work with industrial partners in a more targeted and effective way.”


sustainablepulse--2020-12-24--CRISPR Gene Editing Unintentionally Causes Changes in Gene Regulation

A new scientific publication shows that CRISPR/Cas gene scissor applications in animals unintentionally leave traces .
The findings , as commented on by Testbiotech , are not related to unintended changes in the DNA , which have often been described , but to gene regulation , i.e .
epigenetics .
The effects are heritable and may , for example , result in disruption of embryonic development , GM Watch reported Tuesday .
The new scientific publication describes CRISPR/Cas experiments with mice in which their DNA is cut and additional genetic information inserted .
Besides intended changes in DNA in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unintended changes in so-called epigenetic markers that control gene regulation .
The effects were heritable and could still be identified after ten generations .
According to the authors , the effects can also be used to identify CRISPR/Cas gene scissor applications .
The results were specific to some particular gene scissor applications and not observed if no additional genetic information was inserted .
Further experiments are necessary to investigate the effects of the epigenetic changes in each specific organism .
It is also not known whether the gene scissors may cause changes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects might be expected in insects and plants .
Testbiotech comments that epigenetic effects are often heritable without the DNA itself being changed .
Epigenetic factors are , for example , decisive for embryonic development .
In addition , reactions to environmental stressors are also influenced by epigenetics .
In this context , epigenetic markers determine which genes are activated or silenced in which cells , thereby controlling gene expression .
These epigenetic markers are not mutations in DNA , but biochemical attachments .
Testbiotech adds that the recent findings not only indicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environment .
For example , gene drive organisms generated by CRISPR/Cas are altered in a way that epigenetic changes , which can result in alterations in the patterns of gene expression , are present in the genomic makeup of all offspring .
If this process also causes unintended changes in gene regulation , environmental risk assessment is much more complicated .
The new study showed that the original methylation pattern of the DNA was unexpectedly changed and that more methylation groups were present .
DNA methylation is the addition of a methyl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on certain cytosine DNA base units and which is usually associated with the silencing of gene expression .
Commenting on the new findings , London-based molecular geneticist Dr Michael Antoniou said , “ This unexpected and intriguing finding clearly calls for research to ascertain whether similar stably inherited epigenetic DNA methylation changes take place in CRISPR/Cas edited food plants .
“ This type of investigation is essential , since these epigenetic changes add yet another mechanism by which unintended alterations in gene function can result from gene editing .
“ Alterations in patterns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes in the biochemistry of the organism , which could negatively affect crop performance , or more worryingly , could include the production of novel toxins or allergens.
” Background and summary ( by “ Project Genetic Engineering and the Environment ” ) : fachstelle-gentechnik-umwelt.de Source of comment : Testbiotech www.testbiotech.org — The new study : Detection of CRISPR-mediated genome modifications through altered methylation patterns of CpG islands

A new scientific publication shows that CRISPR/Cas gene scissor applications in animals unintentionally leave traces. The findings, as commented on by Testbiotech, are not related to unintended changes in the DNA, which have often been described, but to gene regulation, i.e. epigenetics. The effects are heritable and may, for example, result in disruption of embryonic development, GM Watch reported Tuesday.
The new scientific publication describes CRISPR/Cas experiments with mice in which their DNA is cut and additional genetic information inserted. Besides intended changes in DNA in the target region, the findings also showed unintended changes in so-called epigenetic markers that control gene regulation. The effects were heritable and could still be identified after ten generations. According to the authors, the effects can also be used to identify CRISPR/Cas gene scissor applications.
The results were specific to some particular gene scissor applications and not observed if no additional genetic information was inserted. Further experiments are necessary to investigate the effects of the epigenetic changes in each specific organism. It is also not known whether the gene scissors may cause changes in other epigenetic markers, or if similar effects might be expected in insects and plants.
Testbiotech comments that epigenetic effects are often heritable without the DNA itself being changed. Epigenetic factors are, for example, decisive for embryonic development. In addition, reactions to environmental stressors are also influenced by epigenetics. In this context, epigenetic markers determine which genes are activated or silenced in which cells, thereby controlling gene expression. These epigenetic markers are not mutations in DNA, but biochemical attachments.
Testbiotech adds that the recent findings not only indicate risks for medical applications but also for the environment. For example, gene drive organisms generated by CRISPR/Cas are altered in a way that epigenetic changes, which can result in alterations in the patterns of gene expression, are present in the genomic makeup of all offspring. If this process also causes unintended changes in gene regulation, environmental risk assessment is much more complicated.
Health risks
The new study showed that the original methylation pattern of the DNA was unexpectedly changed and that more methylation groups were present. DNA methylation is the addition of a methyl group, which most frequently takes place on certain cytosine DNA base units and which is usually associated with the silencing of gene expression.
Commenting on the new findings, London-based molecular geneticist Dr Michael Antoniou said, “This unexpected and intriguing finding clearly calls for research to ascertain whether similar stably inherited epigenetic DNA methylation changes take place in CRISPR/Cas edited food plants.
“This type of investigation is essential, since these epigenetic changes add yet another mechanism by which unintended alterations in gene function can result from gene editing.
“Alterations in patterns of gene function will inevitably lead to changes in the biochemistry of the organism, which could negatively affect crop performance, or more worryingly, could include the production of novel toxins or allergens.”
Background and summary (by “Project Genetic Engineering and the Environment”):
fachstelle-gentechnik-umwelt.de
Source of comment: Testbiotech
www.testbiotech.org
—
The new study:
Detection of CRISPR-mediated genome modifications through altered methylation patterns of CpG islands
M. Heath Farris, Pamela A. Texter, Agustin A. Mora, Michael V. Wiles, Ellen F. Mac Garrigle, Sybil A. Klaus & Kristine Rosfjord
BMC Genomics volume 21, Article number: 856 (2020)
bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com