Is Monsanto's Roundup Herbicide Causing Miscarriages in Animals?

As if the list of reasons to be wary of genetically engineered (GE) seeds wasn't long enough, preliminary research links Monsanto's Roundup herbicide to serious reproductive issues in animals.

Monsanto's Roundup Ready seeds are genetically engineered to withstand a heavy dousing of Monsanto's Roundup herbicide. But does anyone believe that all that extra Roundup use is a good idea? The chemical in Roundup is called glyphosate, and Don M. Huber, a plant pathologist who deals with protection against biological warfare, thinks there may be a link between glyphosate in feed and a new self-replicating, micro-fungal, virus-sized organism. The organism may be causing spontaneous abortions and infertility in livestock. In addition, it may be linked to plant disease.

Huber composed a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, urging further study of Roundup and its possible connection to this organism before Roundup Ready alfalfa is unleashed on U.S. agriculture. The new pathogen is found in much higher concentrations in GE, Roundup Ready corn and soy than in conventional crops. Alfalfa is frequently used as feed for livestock. Huber's preliminary research shows that pregnant heifers fed feed with high concentrations of the pathogen experience a high level of spontaneous abortion. According to Huber, this feed was likely treated with glyphosate. The People's Voice shows that other research supports Huber's theories.

Basically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allowing Monsanto to use new technology that we don't know is safe, with livestock, farmers, and consumers playing the role of guinea pigs in this dangerous experiment. If Roundup Ready alfalfa is planted, we may lose organic options when it comes to beef and dairy. And that's just the tip of the iceberg — there are way too many unknowns when it comes to how Roundup Ready crops may impact people and the planet.

But here's what we do know: GE crops have led Roundup-resistant "superweeds," a situation that's caused an even greater reliance on chemical herbicides. We also know that the stated efficacy and increased crop yields touted by GE proponents may be overstated or simply false.

If Roundup Ready alfalfa is fully deregulated, it may signify the beginning of the end of our ability to choose non-GMO foods.  Huber told Paul Tukey of SafeLawn, "It’s grossly irresponsible of the government to allow Roundup Ready alfalfa, which would bring the widespread spraying of Roundup to millions of more acres and introduce far more Roundup into the food supply." Until science can show that Roundup isn't causing these reproductive issues in livestock, Roundup Ready alfalfa and other GE crops shouldn't be anywhere near America's agricultural fields.

You can help protect livestock, consumers, and the planet by signing Food & Water Watch's petition asking President Obama to deny approval of Monsanto's GE alfalfa and sugar beets.

Photo credit: Tim Green aka atoach via Flickr