Glyphosate nontoxicity: the genesis of a scientific fact

Abstract

Repetition of a 1978 experiment on the toxicity of glyphosate chemicals in water-flea Daphnia magna showed surprising results. In the 31 years which had passed between the two series of experiments, the toxicity of glyphosate had apparently become 300 times stronger! Further investigation into this enigmatic paradox discloses unfortunate aspects of laboratory researcher cultures as well as fundamental challenges in current regulatory approval of chemicals and the epistemology of risk-assessment. Keywords: flexibility of scientific facts, glyphosate toxicity, scientific fraud 90 M. Cuhra Glyphosate nontoxicity: the genesis of a scientific fact ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ JBPC Vol. 15 (2015) A CASE STUDY

Glyphosate: Too Much of a Good Thing?

“…And, in long-term studies we found that low concentrations (0.05-0.45 ppm) of either glyphosate (glyphosate IPA) or GBH Roundup formulation (contains glyphosate IPA as active ingredient) had adverse effects on growth and reproduction (Cuhra et al, 2013). Several problematic issues relating to existing assumptions on ecotoxicity of glyphosate were identified, amongst these the fact that glyphosates are a family of chemicals with distinctly differing physical properties and biological effects, notably levels of contaminants from different manufacturing processes, and basic properties such as solubility in water (Cuhra, 2015c). Also, numerous studies on toxicity and ecotoxicity of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides were performed by commercial laboratories at a time when such research did not adhere to later quality requirements.…”

“…Roundup and similar formulated glyphosate herbicides contain various adjuvants and inert ingredients. We have described some of the confusion that enshrouds ecotoxicological and toxicological assessments of these compounds, which are seen as significantly contributing to toxicological properties of formulated herbicides (Cuhra et al, 2013;Cuhra, 2015c). Recognizing the inherent complexity of assessing compounds which are protected commercial products and which have properties known to producers, but partly unavailable to scientists and regulators, we suggest that all ingredients in herbicide formulations should be regulated and subject to mandatory declaration.…”

“…The reviews are syntheses of evidence available at the time, notably including data and conclusions from numerous studies performed by industry. These industry reports had been reviewed by US authorities (EPA and FDA) but were recently found to lack the standards of peer reviewed studies (Samsel and Seneff, 2015b;Cuhra, 2015c). In addition, the actual reports from the laboratory work, specification of methodology, chemistry etc, have previously been inaccessible for independent verification, due to commercial interest.…”

“…Through FOIA requests (FOIA, 2009(FOIA, , 2011 we have reevaluated specific documentation extracted from the archives of the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and demonstrated faults in historical data assessing glyphosate toxicity in aquatic invertebrates. For example conclusions had been changed, regulatory importance exaggerated and wrong type of glyphosate had been tested (Cuhra, 2015c). Further investigations into industry safety-studies on glyphosate disclose notable early indications of carcinogenicity in rodents, albeit in high doses.…”

“…No studies other than our own were found to specifically assess effects of glyphosate residues (Cuhra, 2015b). We have also published preliminary results from studies of documentation in archives from US FDA and US EPA, obtained via freedom of information act requests (Cuhra, 2015c).…”