Monsanto Goes to Trial

Source: sfgate.com

A groundskeeper claims that he developed terminal cancer due to exposure to the herbicide Roundup for the past 2 decades. Dewayne Johnson was a groundskeeper for the Benicia Unified School District.

His is accusing Monsanto of hiding evidence about glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. About 4,000 other people have made claims that Roundup made them sick and the majority of them are planning to take Monsanto to court.

Johnson's attorney said in his opening statement that a mountain of data has been complied since 2000 showing how glyphosate can cause genetic damage that may lead to non Hodgkin lymphoma. He alleged that Monsanto ignored that data and published information 'ghost written' by staffers which denied the toxicity of the chemical.

Monsanto's attorney cites more than 800 scientific studies that show that glyphosate is safe for use and does not cause cancer. Their defense also relies on the EPA's decision not to impose regulations on the chemical.

The decision resulting from this case will hopefully end a long fought battle between Monsanto and farmers in the US. Most eastern countries have already limited or banned the use of glyphosate.