Lawsuit: Glyphosate destroys healthy gut microbiome
The drama, or rather, the SOAP surrounding glyphosate continues. In 2019, The Guardian published an article - based on extensive scientific research - showing that people highly exposed to glyphosate have a 41 percent higher chance of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Dutch 'Follow The Money' went a step further, revealing that Monsanto halted Dutch research into glyphosate after what they considered an 'unacceptable' result. As the (organic) icing on the cake, a Bloomberg publication shows that a lawsuit has also been filed because the pesticide allegedly destroys a healthy gut microbiome; something that has always been denied.
The History
Glyphosate was first introduced in 1974. Its use has since increased enormously because it is no longer used solely as a herbicide. Glyphosate is now also sprayed directly onto crops as a 'desiccant' or as a means to accelerate harvesting.
As part of the marketing, genetically modified 'glyphosate-tolerant crops' were introduced simultaneously. These crops had to be genetically adapted specifically to be resistant to the herbicide. Glyphosate could be sprayed unlimitedly to kill all plants except these genetically modified ones. So much for biodiversity.
It now appears that glyphosate is also widely sprayed on conventionally grown crops. From amateur gardeners to landscape maintenance professionals in public spaces: everyone reached for the easily available glyphosate.
Broad-spectrum herbicide
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide. This means it kills a wide range of vegetation. It acts somewhat indiscriminately on plants, except on the previously mentioned glyphosate-resistant genetically modified crops. But, it now appears; glyphosate also kills microbial life in the soil. This is problematic because we need microorganisms for healthy soil. Just like in the gut microbiome, microbes in the soil create favorable conditions necessary for optimal crop growth. Another disruptive factor is the fact that glyphosate 'binds' minerals, making them unavailable or much less available for uptake by the plant. This, of course, does not benefit the nutritional value of cultivated vegetables.
Microbiome
A good balance in the intestines, where healthy and beneficial gut bacteria are overwhelmingly in the majority, is an important ingredient for overall health. The beneficial bacteria in our intestines help to achieve optimal digestion and support immune function. In addition, the gut microbiome is involved in the production, regulation, and creation of numerous hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, and vitamins. Perhaps most importantly, beneficial bacteria prevent "bad" or "unfavorable" variants from growing and causing diseases.
When people ingest glyphosate, it can act as a broad-spectrum antibiotic in the gastrointestinal tract. In animals, glyphosate has been shown to disrupt the gut microbiome, and it can generally be assumed that healthy bacterial growth, in particular, comes under pressure. Furthermore, studies have shown that exposure to glyphosate affects the efficacy of antibiotics.
The lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed in early February 2019 in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri. According to the plaintiffs, Monsanto systematically misled users by assuring them that glyphosate has no impact on the gut microbiome. Through labels, consumers were wrongly assured that the active ingredients target an enzyme not found 'in humans or pets'. This is incorrect, according to the plaintiffs.
Monsanto is now involved in more than 9,000 lawsuits.
Sources: The Guardian, Follow The Money, Bloomberg, ConsumerSafety.
