Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Is Monsanto's ROUNDUP causing a fatal liver epidemic?

http://www.alternet.org/environment/monsanto-linked-fatal-kidney-disease-epidemic-could-it-topple-company?akid=12021.294211.19M87p&rd=1&src=newsletter1011435&t=13

At this point, this elegant theory advanced by Dr. Jayasumana and colleagues can only be considered  hypothesis-generating. Further scientific studies will need to confirm the hypothesis that CKDu is indeed due to glyphosate-heavy metal toxicity to the kidney tubules. For the present, this may be the best explanation for the epidemic. 
Another explanation is that  heat stress may be the cause, or a  combination of heat stress and chemical toxicity. Monsanto, of course, is standing behind glyphosate and  disputing the claim that it plays any role whatsoever in the genesis of CKDu.
While the exact cause of CKDu has not been proven conclusively, both Sri Lanka and El Salvador have invoked the  precautionary principle. El Salvador  banned glyphosate in September 2013 and is currently looking for safer alternatives. Sri Lanka  banned glyphosate in March of this year because of concerns about CKDu.



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