GMO Toxicology Report


New Research: GMO Food Far Worse Than We Think
By Sayer Ji
Feb 20, 2012 - 11:56:46 PM

Sunday, February 19, 2012

New Research: GMO Food Far Worse Than We Think

Sayer Ji, Contributing Writer
Activist Post



In this latest study the glyphosate-containing herbicide Roundup was tested on human embryonic kidney cells at concentrations between 1 to 20,000 parts per million (ppm). It was found that concentrations as low as 50 ppm per million, which the authors noted were "far below agricultural dilutions," induced cell death, with the 50% of the cells dying at 57.5 ppm.


Taken together the authors concluded:


These disturbing findings follow on the heels of recent revelations that Roundup is several orders of magnitude more toxic than previously believed. Only 5 days ago (Feb. 14) the journal Archives of Toxicology reported that Roundup is toxic to human DNA even when diluted to concentrations 450-fold lower than used in agricultural applications.

This effect is likely due to the presence of the surfactant polyoxyethyleneamine within the Roundup formulation which may dramatically enhance the absorption of glyphosate into exposed human cells and tissue.
New research

The chemical - glyphosate - is the highest selling herbicide in the world and has been identified as having a wide range of potential adverse health effects -- largely minimized and/or under-reported -- which include over two dozen diseases.  Glyphosate's primary properties of concern are its carcinogenicity, genotoxicity and endocrine disruptive actions. Roundup contains a surfactant known as polyoxyethyleneamine which functions to reduce the surface tension between Roundup and the cells exposed to it, making the cellular membranes more permeable to absorbing glyphosate and other chemicals within the formula. The surfactant in Roundup may therefore be responsible for increasing the toxicity of glyphosate by several orders of magnitude higher than it exhibits by itself.

This new research sheds light on a fundamental problem associated with toxicological risk assessments of agrichemicals (and novel manmade chemicals in general), namely, these assessments do not take into account the reality of synergistic toxicologies, i.e. the amplification of harm associated with multiple chemical exposures occurring simultaneously. Moreover, toxicological risk assessments on novel chemicals are based on the concept of determining "an acceptable level of harm," instead of protecting those who would be exposed to a chemical by implementing the precautionary principle, i.e. if there is reason to believe that a chemical could cause harm (determined by animal and in vitro studies) then they should be regulated as if they do cause harm to humans. The precautionary principle would require that the manufacturers of these chemicals prove their product is safe to humans before being allowed to release it onto the market or into the environment, rather than putting the burden of proving it unsafe on the consumer and/or exposed populations, as is presently the case.

Glyphosate exposure is now ubiquitous due to the fact that 88,000 tons of it were used in US in 2007 alone, and likely billions of additional pounds globally. Accumulating evidence indicates it is resistant to biodegradation and now contaminates the air, rain and groundwater throughout the areas where it has been applied.


Glyphosate can be detected in the urine of farmers and their families in farms where Roundup pesticide is used.

Glyphosate pesticide (Roundup) exposure is a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hairy Cell leukemia.

Glyphosate pesticide (Roundup) exposure is a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Glyphosphate exposure has been linked to rhinitis among pesticide applicators.

Large scale bioenergy crop expansion results in levels of chemicals in the environment unsafe for human and ecological health.


There is evidence that there is a genotoxic risk potential associated with exposure to glyphosate in areas where the herbicide is applied.

The environmental metabolite of glyphosate, Aminomethylphosphonic acid, exhibits genotoxicity.

Glyphosphate poisoning resulting in aseptic meningitis has been reported.

Parkinsonism after chronic occupational exposure to glyphosate has been reported.

"Aminomethylphosphonic acid, a metabolite of glyphosate, causes injury in glyphosate-treated, glyphosate-resistant soybean."

"Glyphosate and AMPA exhibited high vertical mobility in the treated soil, quickly reaching high concentrations in subsurface horizons where the degradation is slower."

"lyphosate-based herbicides are "info-disruptors" that alter the ability of males to detect and/or react fully to female signals."

Commercial glyphosate herbicides exhibit genotoxicity in fish.

Endocrine and toxic effects of Roundup, not just glyphosate, can be observed in mammals, and Roundup adjuvants enhance glyphosate bioavailability and/or bioaccumulation.

Ginkgo biloba protects against glyphosate toxicity in mice.

Glyphosate and especially Roundup Ultra bioaccumulates and causes oxidative stress in freshwater worms.

Glyphosate has the potential to contribute to groundwater contamination.

Glyphosate herbicides exhibit a wide range of toxicities to tadpoles.

Glyphosate impairs male offspring reproductive development.

Groundup herbicide exhibits toxicity in North American frog species and results in malformations in tadpoles due perhaps to its endocrine disrupting activity.

Roundup herbicide may contribute to widespread amphibian declines due to its significant toxicity on tadpoles.

The herbicide glyphosate (and its metabolite) was found in all plant species tested.

The herbicide Roundup may cause disorder in the morphophysiology of the male genital system of animals.

Roundup exposure may adversely affect human reproduction and fetal development in case of contamination.


Glyphosate has been linked to lymphatic cancer.

Glyphosate herbicides may exhibit sublethal adverse effects on non-pest insects.

Glyphosphate has liver damaging properties.

Roundup contains compounds which exhibit significant toxicity to bacteria, microalgae, protozoa and crustaceans.

Roundup has a direct toxicological effect on freshwater microbial communities, dramatically altering the ratios of organisms found there.

Roundup herbicide is more toxic than its constituent parts and is genotoxic in concentrations that concentrations that correspond to a 450-fold dilution of spraying used in agriculture.

27 Diseases associated with Glyphosate (Roundup)

Lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin

Hormonal Disorders: Children

DNA damage

Testosterone: Too Low

Hairy Leukoplakia


Pesticide Toxicity

Prenatal Chemical Exposures

Chemical Exposure


Endocrine Diseases

Glyphosate Toxicity

Liver Cancer

Mercury Poisoning

Postnatal Care: Breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Environmental Exposures

Meningitis: Aseptic


Chemically-Induced Liver Damage

Infertility: Male

Male Reproductive Development Abnormalities

Skin Cancer

Kidney Damage

Lipid Peroxidation

Liver Damage

Lymphatic Cancer

Oxidative Stress