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Roundup Science Fraud Exposed: Paper Retracted After 25 Years
2 Jan
Summary
- A 25-year-old study on Roundup's safety was retracted due to ethical concerns.
- Emails reveal Monsanto scientists significantly influenced the study's conception.
- The EPA faces a 2026 deadline to reassess glyphosate's safety.
A 25-year-old study, previously considered a cornerstone in establishing glyphosate's safety, has been retracted by its publishing journal over ethical concerns. This retraction, occurring a quarter-century after its initial publication, stems from evidence suggesting significant involvement from Monsanto scientists in the study's conception and writing, despite its aim to assure the public of the weedkiller's safety.
The scientific journal cited "serious ethical concerns regarding the independence and accountability of the authors," noting that the paper relied heavily on unpublished Monsanto studies. This revelation has intensified pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to re-examine glyphosate's safety, a process mandated by a federal deadline in 2026 due to legal actions by advocacy groups.
Despite Bayer, the current owner of Monsanto, asserting that the company's involvement was disclosed and did not constitute authorship, the retraction has ignited a crisis of confidence. Thousands of lawsuits alleging Roundup caused cancer remain, with Bayer having paid over $10 billion to settle around 100,000 claims. Experts argue this situation highlights a broader issue of industry-funded research potentially distorting scientific conclusions.
