A new report from a World Health Organization agency suggests that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup, the widely used herbicide, may increase the risk of cancer.
But glyphosate supporters, including Monsanto, say the International Agency for Research on Cancer report isn't supported by scientific data and ignores relevant studies.
"We believe conclusions about a matter as important as human safety must be non-biased, thorough and based on quality science that adheres to internationally recognized standards," Monsanto said in a news release. "We join others in viewing IARC's process and its assessment with strong skepticism. IARC has previously come under criticism for both its process and demonstrated bias."
The IARC report finds glyphosate might increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in people who are exposed to the chemical in their occupation. The report also says some studies show exposure to glyphosate and glyphosate formulations promote tumors in laboratory mice.
That led the IARC to identify glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans, the second of four levels of risk: known carcinogens, probable or possible carcinogens, not classifiable and probably not carcinogenic.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which makes its own determinations, says it will consider the evaluation, according to published reports.
Glyphosate's use by home gardeners isn't considered a risk.
The Washington, D.C.-based Information Technology and Innovation Foundation also is critical of the IARC report.
'Scientific experts who have considered the body of relevant research do not agree with a categorization of glyphosate as carcinogenic for a very simple reason -- it's clearly not," foundation member Val Giddings says in a new release. "There is nothing in the data to support such claims, and nothing in the deep reservoir of real world experience with glyphosate, to justify such a move.
"IARC did not consider any new research or data, and all the information they considered has already been evaluated by regulatory bodies around the world," Giddings says.
