This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Thursday 9 June 2022
Never Mind the Tumours?
Glyphosate is the most widely-used weed killer. The European Chemical Agency (Echa) are currently relicensing this herbicide (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/09/eu-regulators-dismissed-evidence-linking-glyphosate-to-rodent-tumours). Echa have managed to discount most of the evidence (10 out of 11 studies on rodents), linking glyphosate to tumour development. Most scientists would have concluded, on the available evidence, that this herbicide is likely to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) in humans. So, as well as glyphosate decimating insect pollinators (massive amounts of evidence), unprotected users may increase their risk of cancers. The precautionary principle doesn't seem much in evidence in Echa's thinking. Surely, commercial pressures couldn't be impacting here?
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