Trevor James
Monsanto is an American agricultural company that manufactures the herbicide brand Roundup, which contains glyphosate. Glyphosate is a herbicide used to kill weeds and has been linked to cancer. Monsanto has faced multiple lawsuits regarding the health effects of glyphosate, resulting in significant financial penalties. There have been claims that glyphosate is present in vaccines, specifically those produced by Merck, and that Monsanto supplied the glyphosate for this purpose. However, the evidence regarding the presence of glyphosate in vaccines is contradictory, and regulatory agencies have not found reliable evidence to support these claims. The addition of glyphosate to vaccines by Merck and the involvement of Monsanto in supplying the substance have sparked criticism and concerns about the potential health impacts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of claim | 2020-02-14 |
| Source of claim | Natural Healing Magazine |
| Company selling glyphosate | Monsanto |
| Company buying glyphosate | Merck |
| Purpose of deal | To add glyphosate to vaccines |
| Role of glyphosate | Make vaccines more toxic |
| Evidence of glyphosate in vaccines | Preliminary screenings, tests by Anthony Samsel, Moms Across America |
| Cancer-causing potential of glyphosate | Classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by IARC in 2015 |
| Regulatory status of glyphosate | Approved for use in the European Union until 2022 |
| Court cases against glyphosate | Monsanto lost three cases linking glyphosate to cancer |
| Counterarguments | Evidence is contradictory, reliable evidence of glyphosate in vaccines is lacking |
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What You'll Learn
Monsanto's glyphosate linked to cancer
Monsanto is an American agricultural company that manufactures the herbicide brand Roundup, which has glyphosate as its main ingredient. In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans". Since then, Monsanto has faced numerous lawsuits alleging that their glyphosate-based products cause cancer.
In 2018, Monsanto was ordered to pay $289 million (later reduced to $78 million) to a California school groundskeeper, Dewayne Johnson, who claimed that their weed killer caused his terminal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 2019, Monsanto lost two more cases and was ordered to pay a total of $2.08 billion to the affected couples, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, and Edwin Hardeman. Despite these losses, Monsanto's owner, Bayer AG, maintains that glyphosate-based herbicides are safe when used as directed. They state that glyphosate-based herbicides have been extensively tested and that regulatory agencies worldwide have concluded they can be used safely.
However, in 2019, the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reported an increased cancer risk from glyphosate exposure, particularly for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This was supported by a March 2019 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, which analysed data from over 30,000 farmers and agricultural workers and found links between glyphosate and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Additionally, a February 2019 meta-analysis in Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research reported a "compelling link" between glyphosate-based herbicides and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In 2021, researchers from the University of Vienna analysed 53 glyphosate studies submitted to regulators by pesticide companies. They found that most of the studies did not meet modern international standards for scientific rigor and lacked adequate tests for cancer risks. Only two of the 11 studies Monsanto submitted to EU regulators were deemed "reliable". This contradicts Bayer's statement about the extensiveness and reliability of glyphosate testing.
While the evidence on the link between glyphosate and cancer seems contradictory, with some studies finding no connection, the weight of legal rulings and certain scientific studies suggests that Monsanto's glyphosate products are indeed linked to cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Merck announces glyphosate in vaccines
Merck, a pharmaceutical giant, has recently announced a controversial change to the formula of its vaccines. The company has revealed that it will be adding glyphosate, a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide, to its vaccines as part of a deal with Monsanto, the original creator of glyphosate. This decision has sparked outrage among critics, who argue that glyphosate is not safe for injection and has been linked to various health issues, including cancer.
Monsanto, an American agriculture company, has faced multiple lawsuits in recent years, with courts ruling that its Roundup weed killer product containing glyphosate contributed to several cancer cases. Despite these concerns, Monsanto CEO Judas Luciferr defended the deal with Merck, stating that it would help them sell off their excess glyphosate inventory. Luciferr further claimed that people already consume glyphosate daily through their food, so adding it to vaccines ensures it reaches the bloodstream directly.
Merck's decision to include glyphosate in its vaccines has united anti-GMO and anti-vaccine groups, who are planning rallies and protests against the move. They argue that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen and should not be mandated in vaccines, especially for vulnerable newborns and children. The presence of glyphosate in vaccines has been a concern for advocacy groups like Moms Across America, who have been pushing for vaccine testing and reformulation to ensure the safety of the public.
While the exact details of the deal between Merck and Monsanto remain unclear, it is apparent that Merck's announcement has sparked a heated debate about the safety and ethics of including glyphosate in vaccines. Some experts and advocacy groups have expressed concern over the potential health risks associated with glyphosate, while others defend its use, citing the need for further research and the complex interplay of factors contributing to modern diseases. As the discussion unfolds, regulatory agencies and scientific communities are urged to conduct thorough investigations and provide transparent information to the public.
It is important to note that the evidence regarding the health effects of glyphosate is contradictory. While some studies suggest a link between glyphosate and cancer, regulatory bodies worldwide have approved glyphosate-based products like Roundup. The complex nature of this issue underscores the need for ongoing scientific research, rigorous regulatory oversight, and informed public discourse to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, especially those most vulnerable.
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Monsanto CEO's comments on the deal
Monsanto CEO Judas Luciferr commented on the deal with pharmaceutical giant Merck, which would see the latter add glyphosate to its vaccines. Luciferr described the deal as "great for both parties", as it would allow Monsanto to sell off some of its glyphosate inventory. He further stated that Monsanto already sells glyphosate to people who eat it, so this way they can get it directly into the bloodstream and ensure consumers are "riddled with it".
Luciferr's comments sparked criticism from some who argued that glyphosate is unsafe to be injected. However, Monsanto stood by the deal, claiming that there is no reliable evidence that glyphosate is present in vaccines. They criticised the testing methods used by research scientist Anthony Samsel, who published a paper in 2017 reporting glyphosate content in nineteen vaccines. Samsel's study used a simple method with a potential for false positives, according to Monsanto.
The deal comes amid a series of court losses for Monsanto, with the company ordered to pay billions in damages over claims that its Roundup weed killer product, which contains glyphosate, caused cancer in several people. Despite these controversies, glyphosate remains widely used in the United States, with the National Pesticide Information Center estimating that over 750 products contain the chemical. However, organisations like Cancer Research UK and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans".
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Anti-vaccine groups protest Merck's move
In 2020, pharmaceutical giant Merck announced that it would be altering the recipe for its vaccines by adding glyphosate, a herbicide used to kill weeds. The announcement was met with criticism and protests from anti-vaccine and anti-GMO groups, who argued that glyphosate is unsafe to be injected and could cause cancer. The deal was confirmed with Monsanto, which would provide the glyphosate. Monsanto CEO Judas Luciferr defended the deal, stating that people already consume glyphosate daily through their food, and that this way, it would get directly into the bloodstream.
Merck's decision to add glyphosate to its vaccines has sparked concerns among those who are skeptical of vaccine safety and the potential impact on human health. Groups such as Moms Across America have been actively advocating for vaccine safety and have sent letters to various government agencies, including the FDA, CDC, and EPA, requesting that they prioritize testing vaccines for glyphosate and recalling contaminated vaccines. They have also called for the revocation of glyphosate licenses to prevent further contamination.
The presence of glyphosate in vaccines has been a controversial topic. While some studies, like those conducted by Anthony Samsel, have found glyphosate in vaccines, Monsanto has disputed these claims, criticizing the methods used for testing. The evidence regarding the link between glyphosate and cancer is contradictory. While Monsanto has lost several court cases related to glyphosate and cancer, regulatory bodies worldwide have approved glyphosate and formulations like Roundup for agricultural use.
The anti-vaccine groups' protests against Merck's move to add glyphosate to its vaccines highlight the ongoing debate around vaccine safety and the potential risks associated with certain ingredients. With concerns about the effects of glyphosate on human health, the protests call for further scientific studies and regulatory action to ensure that vaccines are safe and do not cause harm, especially to vulnerable populations such as newborns and pregnant women.
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Evidence of glyphosate in vaccines
There is contradictory evidence on whether glyphosate causes cancer. Cancer Research UK states that there is some evidence that exposure to very high levels of glyphosate could increase the risk of certain types of cancer. However, it is important to note that most people in the UK are unlikely to be exposed to such high levels. Monsanto, an American agricultural company, has faced multiple lawsuits linking its glyphosate-containing product Roundup to cancer cases. Despite these contradictory findings, Monsanto has lost several court cases related to glyphosate, indicating a potential link between the chemical and cancer.
Regarding the presence of glyphosate in vaccines, there have been claims and studies suggesting its existence. Anthony Samsel, a self-proclaimed research scientist, published a paper in 2017 claiming to have found glyphosate in nineteen vaccines, with levels up to 3.7 parts per billion. However, Monsanto refuted these findings, criticizing the methodology used and stating that it was not suitable for testing liquids like vaccines. Moms Across America, an anti-pesticide and GMO campaign group, also claimed in 2016 to have found glyphosate in five vaccines at levels between 0.1 and 3 parts per billion. They attributed this to the use of GMO and glyphosate-sprayed crops in vaccine ingredients or livestock used for ingredients. However, the scientific community has questioned the validity of these claims, stating that the methods used are not reliable for detecting glyphosate in vaccines.
Additionally, there are reports of glyphosate residues being found in popular vaccines, with the highest contamination in Merck's MMR vaccine. The FDA has confirmed trace amounts of glyphosate in various products, including food items. While some sources claim that Merck has made a deal with Monsanto to add glyphosate to their vaccines, there is no concrete evidence to support this assertion. It is important to note that the presence of glyphosate in vaccines is highly controversial, and further accurate tests are needed to confirm its existence and potential impact on human health.
While there is contradictory evidence regarding the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate, the claims about its presence in vaccines remain largely speculative and disputed. Reliable sources, such as Full Fact, have rated these claims as misleading, stating that there isn't reliable evidence of glyphosate in vaccines. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the UK has not included any reference to glyphosate or its testing in the information received from vaccine manufacturers.
In conclusion, while there is ongoing debate about the potential health risks associated with glyphosate, the evidence of its presence in vaccines is uncertain and requires further investigation using more rigorous scientific methods. The contradictory nature of the available information highlights the importance of relying on credible sources and scientific consensus when evaluating such claims.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Monsanto announced a deal with Merck in which it would provide glyphosate for use in Merck's vaccines.
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It was first brought to market by Monsanto in 1974 under the trade name Roundup.
The safety of glyphosate is a controversial topic. It has been deemed a probable carcinogen by the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). There have been several court cases linking glyphosate to cancer. However, evidence on the topic seems contradictory, and regulatory bodies worldwide have approved its use.
There have been reports of glyphosate being found in vaccines, including those manufactured by Merck. However, the reliability of these findings has been questioned.
The decision has been met with criticism and opposition from anti-GMO and anti-vaccine groups, who argue that glyphosate is not safe to be injected. There have been calls for further testing and reformulation to ensure vaccine safety.
