Global Glyphosate Study pilot phase shows adverse health effects at “safe” dose

by GMWatch.org

Effects found on sexual development, genotoxicity, and the intestinal microbiome

Glyphosate-based herbicide caused adverse health effects in rats at a dose claimed to be safe by regulators, according to a new study. Glyphosate herbicides are used on the vast majority of all GM crops worldwide.

The study used the US Environmental Protection Agency’s acceptable daily dietary exposure level of glyphosate(1) – 1.75 mg per kg of bodyweight per day. The same concentration was given to the rats daily over a 3-month period.

The study was focused on the newborn, infancy and adolescence phases of life. The results reveal that glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) was able to alter certain important biological parameters, mainly relating to sexual development, genotoxicity, and the intestinal microbiome.

The effects occurred at a dose deemed safe by regulators to ingest on a daily basis over a long-term period. In human-equivalent terms the dosing period corresponded to the period from the embryo stage to 18 years of age.

Results in detail

The results showed an alteration in some sexual development parameters in rats treated with GBH, especially in females. Moreover, rats treated with GBH presented statistically significant changes of the intestinal microbiome in particular during development.

Concerning genotoxicity, a statistically significant increase was observed in micronuclei in rats treated with GBH, especially in the first part of life.

Rats treated with pure glyphosate or its formulation presented similar levels in urine of glyphosate and its principal metabolite (AMPA), thus showing no significant difference in the absorption and excretion of glyphosate among the two treatment groups, but suggesting a bioaccumulation effect of glyphosate that was proportional to the length of treatment.

The study was conducted at the Ramazzini Institute, Bologna, Italy. In over 40 years of activity, the institute has studied more than 200 compounds fro m the general and occupational environment and many of its results have provided a solid scientific base forregulating and limiting the exposure of a number of substances. Examples include vinyl chloride, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and mancozeb.

Comments from scientists

Commenting on the glyphosate herbicide pilot study, Prof Philip J. Landrigan, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said,

“By its very nature and purpose, the pilot study does not resolve the uncertainties puzzling the various agencies (IARC, EFSA, ECHA) as to whether glyphosate and Glyphosate Based Herbicides (GBHs) are carcinogenic or not, but it does highlight health effects that are equally as serious, that might manifest as long-term oncological pathology [cancer], and that might affect a huge number of people, given the planet-wide use of the GBHs. These early warnings must be further investigated in a comprehensive long-term study”.

Dr Fiorella Belpoggi, Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, Ramazzini Institute, said,

“Whatever the outcome of the Ramazzini Institute study, the findings will provide regulatory agencies and policymakers with solid independent results obtained by a shared research project on which they can confidently base their risk assessments and their evaluations, includi ng the upcoming decision for the reauthorization for glyphosate use in Europe in 2022.”

Read the full article at GMWatch.org

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