Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has become a point of contention within the Make America Healthy Again movement. This comes in light of an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at securing sufficient supplies of glyphosate-based herbicides deemed necessary for national defense.
Supporters of MAHA have long raised alarms about the potential health hazards tied to glyphosate, advocating for pesticide-free practices. Dr. Mark Siegel, a senior medical analyst, indicated that he sees compelling evidence linking glyphosate to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, suggesting that some limits on exposure might be warranted.
Dr. Siegel elaborated that the connection to Parkinson’s seems to stem from the gut-vagus-brain axis; exposure could disrupt gut microbiome health, potentially leading to neurodegenerative diseases over time. He also pointed out emerging correlations between high glyphosate exposure and issues like metabolic disorders, liver disease, and certain cancers, particularly lymphomas. “I believe advanced research backs this up. We should consider limiting it,” he said.
Research has indicated that glyphosate, notably found in products like Roundup, could elevate cancer risks. A study from the University of Washington reported a 41% increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma linked to pesticide exposure. Additionally, Investigate Midwest, a nonprofit, examined data from various sources and discovered that pesticide use may be tied to rising cancer statistics.
Among their findings, over 60% of the top 500 pesticide-utilizing counties had cancer rates exceeding the national average of 460 per 100,000 people. Reports highlighted Illinois, where farmers were interviewed about pesticide practices and health impacts.
In Iowa, where 53 million pounds of pesticides were used last year, cancer rates are notably high. Bill Billings, a resident diagnosed in 2014, claimed his oncologist connected his cancer directly to chemical exposure.
Kelly Ryerson, who started the Instagram account @glyphosategirl, embarked on a research journey into herbicides due to her own health issues, which she claims improved after eliminating gluten from her diet. Her concerns grew after attending a medical conference at Columbia University focused on celiac disease. Ryerson noted that farmers often apply Roundup just before harvest to facilitate the process, leading to potential chemical concentrations in food supplies.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” back in 2015, based on limited human evidence and substantial lab findings.
A spokesperson from Monsanto emphasized their compliance with the recent executive order, asserting that it ensures farmers retain access to critical crop protection tools like glyphosate. Meanwhile, Health Department Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has criticized Roundup for years, expressed qualified support for the order, acknowledging the inherent toxicity of these chemicals and warning of the risks they pose to public health.
Kennedy highlighted that the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture jeopardizes American health, stating that chemical manufacturers are settling numerous cancer lawsuits related to their products while many farming communities report increasing cancer rates and chronic diseases.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for additional comments.
