Recent research has brought to light the danger that the herbicide glysophate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’s RoundUp, poses to the human reproductive system. From causing infertility to being present in the womb and now being found in breast milk, Monsanto has indeed infiltrated the reproductive system in a very dangerous way. Image credit: sustainablepulse.com

Glysophate Causing Infertility

In a study published in 2012, it was shown that RoundUp can affect and deform the formation of embryos of animals. Here’s an excerpt from the abstract:

The publication of a study in 2010, showing that a glyphosate herbicide formulation and glyphosate alone caused malformations in the embryos of Xenopus laevis and chickens through disruption of the retinoic acid signalling pathway, caused scientific and regulatory controversy. Debate centred on the effects of the production and consumption of genetically modified Roundup Ready® soy, which is engineered to tolerate applications of glyphosate herbicide[full study here].

A Russian study found that Hamsters fed GMO soy became infertile after two or three generations.

Pesticides Cause Birth Defects

Two recent studies found an increased rate of severe birth defects when the parents were exposed to high levels of pesticides before and during pregnancy. You can read the peer reviewed studies here and here.

How Glyphosate Affects the Fetus 

In a study conducted in 2008, researchers found that low levels of glyphosate and RoundUp had negative impacts on human umbilical, embryonic and placental cells. According to the study:

We have evaluated the toxicity of four glyphosate (G)-based herbicides in Roundup (R) formulations, from 105 times dilutions, on three different human cell types. This dilution level is far below agricultural recommendations and corresponds to low levels of residues in food or feed [...] This work clearly confirms that the adjuvants in Roundup formulations are not inert. Moreover, the proprietary mixtures available on the market could cause cell damage and even death around residual levels to be expected, especially in food and feed derived from R formulation-treated crops.[full study here]

According to Dr. Mercola and backed up by at least two peer reviewed studies, the Bt toxin(Bacillus thuringiensis) -created inside of genetically modified Bt producing crops- has been found in the blood stream and in the umbilical cord of pregnant mothers:

This is not the first time scientists have suggested that glyphosate may have damaging effects on your health, and the health of your unborn baby. A 2011 Canadian study, published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology, looked at the effects of fetal and maternal glyphosate exposure, with disturbing findings. This was the first study to show the presence of circulating pesticides from GE foods in women, both pregnant and non-pregnant.4 The study found Bt toxin in the bloodstreams of 93 percent of pregnant women tested, in both their circulating blood and placentas.[more from mercola.com]

According to Monsanto, the Bt insecticide (which explodes the stomach of any insect that tries to eat it) fully breaks down in the digestive system. This research points to this claim as being false.

RoundUp Found in Breast Milk

Research just published a few weeks ago shows that up to 30% of breastfeeding women have dangerous levels of Glyphosate in their breast milk. According to TheAntiMedia.org:

Organizations ‘Mom’s Across America’ and ‘Sustainable Pulse’ recently released the results of their first ever test of breast milk contamination by glyphosate herbicides, showing that 3 out of 10 women tested were plagued with breast milk containing ‘worrying levels’ of poison. 

They basically put forth extremely strong evidence that glyphosate herbicides such as Round-Up are bio-accumulative, and build up in the human body without being excreted out, the complete opposite of what was told to the public by Monsanto and other advocates for GM crops and related herbicide.[continue reading at theantimedia.org]

Conclusion

While Monsanto runs around the world actively undermining scientists who disagree with industry funded research, the truth is that many countries have realized the deadly effects of glyphosate in food and water supplies. Levels of glyphosate in humans have proven to be much lower in Europe, where less people are getting glyphosate related illnesses because the chemical is strongly limited or outright banned. People living in the US generally have up to 10 times higher levels of glyphosate in urine samples tested.

Americans seem to be the guinea pigs for Big Pharma and the biotech giants, where Monsanto has been a repeat offender against the environment, wildlife and human health. The quickly growing body of evidence that shows herbicides are negatively effecting our reproductive systems should lead people to avoid these chemicals by eating organic, while pressing for more transparency and oversight of these companies who push these chemicals as “safe”.

Fortunately, it seems that public pressure and realization that these GMO crops and pesticides are dangerous are taking effect on the food supply. Many consumers are choosing to eat organic, starting to grow their own food and sourcing locally grown foods that aren’t chemical laden. If you wish to join this movement then check out the March Against Monsanto happening on May 24th in many cities across the nation and the World. You can find the events list here.

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