On Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order aimed at boosting domestic production of glyphosate, the primary component of the widely used herbicide Roundup.
This decision has raised concerns among various interest groups across the political spectrum, particularly those advocating for public health. There’s a long-standing connection between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a serious form of blood cancer, which has many people worried.
Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again initiative have often lauded Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for challenging Monsanto—the producer of Roundup—and its parent company, Bayer, holding them accountable for the health risks associated with their products.
In a notable legal case back in 2018, Kennedy, then an attorney, secured a $289 million verdict against Monsanto on behalf of a plaintiff who developed lymphoma after years of using Roundup professionally in the San Francisco Bay Area.
During his presidential campaign, Kennedy had committed to addressing the issue of toxic chemicals, specifically highlighting glyphosate’s role in contaminating the food supply.
Trump’s recent order also facilitates more aggressive phosphate mining, referencing a 1950s law—the Defense Production Act—which has traditionally been invoked by presidents during national emergencies to enhance the production of essential materials.
Interestingly, in 2021, President Biden had made a similar move to expedite vaccine production during the pandemic.
Trump’s order suggests that without ample glyphosate, U.S. agricultural output would face serious threats, potentially stressing the nation’s food supply.
This news arrives just after Bayer agreed to a settlement exceeding $7 billion related to numerous lawsuits linking Roundup to cancer.
Kennedy expressed support for Trump’s initiative, saying in a statement, “President Donald Trump’s executive orders put America first in crucial areas like defense readiness and our food supply.”
He continued, “It’s vital to protect America’s national security, as everything hinges on it. When adversaries control critical resources, it weakens our security. By boosting domestic production, we can protect American families.”
This marks a significant shift from over a year ago when Kennedy emphasized the need to create an “off-ramp” from reliance on synthetic pesticides and herbicides.
What are the potential risks of glyphosate exposure?
Concerns about herbicides like glyphosate certainly merit attention, although scientific opinions can vary. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer labeled glyphosate as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” but the EPA contradicted this assessment two years later.
A 2003 study by Occupational and Environmental Medicine found an uptick in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases among farmers, linking glyphosate to health hazards.
A more recent study from 2023 reaffirmed glyphosate’s potential carcinogenicity, citing “biological plausibility” for connections to human cancers, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
What are the symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Dwayne Johnson, involved in Kennedy’s landmark case against Monsanto, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2014 after suffering from a severe rash. Other symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes, abdominal discomfort, chest pain, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.
Treatment varies, involving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and more. The overall five-year relative survival rate stands at 74%, though it declines with age or late-stage diagnosis.
Are there other health risks associated with glyphosate?
A study published in 2024 indicated that glyphosate, along with other chemicals in Roundup, could increase the risk of advanced prostate cancer.
Moreover, it’s been classified as an endocrine disruptor, which can impact the development of reproductive organs and fertility. There are also unverified claims suggesting glyphosate might be linked to the increasing rates of celiac disease and gluten intolerance among younger populations, given its potential to harm beneficial gut bacteria.
Some researchers argue that gastrointestinal issues might stem more from processed food and chemical exposure, though the link to glyphosate remains largely hypothetical.
Who is most at risk of glyphosate exposure?
Experts generally agree that the health risks for the average person related to glyphosate are relatively low. However, individuals such as farmers, farm laborers, gardeners, and landscapers who frequently use herbicides like Roundup are at higher risk for serious health complications.
Research has shown elevated glyphosate levels in farm workers, even among those living near agricultural areas but not directly applying herbicides.
Cynthia Kahl, an environmental health scientist, noted to the New York Times that there’s persuasive evidence individuals living close to sprayed fields get exposed to glyphosate, especially during application.
To reduce exposure, experts advise opting for organic options when possible, especially avoiding non-organic foods like oats, wheat, and beans, which are often treated with herbicides shortly before harvest.
