
Photo: London Permaculture/cc/flickr
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Photo: London Permaculture/cc/flickr
It's time for Monsanto's Roundup to stop poisoning our food.
That was the message brought to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday by a group of concerned mothers who say that glyphosate, the active ingredient in the widespread herbicide made by the chemical and biotechnology giant, is putting public health in jeopardy.
The group of 11, which included scientists, a lawyer and health worker, urged the agency to look at the results of a recent pilot study commissioned by their group, Moms Across America, and Sustainable Pulse. Their study found glyphosate present in human breast milk, indicating -- contrary to industry claims -- that the herbicide may build up or "bioaccumulate" in women's bodies.
The results of that study were "considerable and shocking," Zen Honeycutt, Founder and Director of Moms Across America, told Common Dreams.
Honeycutt pointed to a previous study which looked at Roundup's negative effects on gut bacteria and pointed to possible links between those effects and a number of diseases. She said that in her group's breast milk study, the sample with the highest levels of Roundup detected had levels that were higher than was shown to destroy gut bacteria in the earlier study.
Her group is asking the EPA to revoke the license for glyphosate, recall foods sprayed with it, call for its use as a drying agent to be stopped, and to include in the EPA review of glyphosate the results from the breast milk study.
Their meeting with the EPA comes on the heels of a March Against Monsanto day of action that saw demonstrations against the biotech giant in scores of countries.
It also follows a phone campaign organized by Moms Across America that urged supporters to call the EPA because "we wanted them to understand how bad glyphosate is," Laurie Olson, West Coast Leader with the group, explained to Common Dreams.
"We just called and called," Olson said. She estimates the group made about 10,000 calls over about a week period. "We got their attention," she said.
"We're not some giant corporation. We're real people with real stories and real lives, and we want it to stop," Olson said, referring to glyphosate's effects.
It might seem like a David vs. Goliath battle, but Honeycutt is confident.
"We will do this," she said. "We will get Roundup recalled, and we will have an impact on the chemical treadmill."
For those interested in the ongoing campaign, she says the next steps will be on the group's Facebook page.
For now, she said, "Keep talking and sharing. Moms are making a difference."
___________________________
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
It's time for Monsanto's Roundup to stop poisoning our food.
That was the message brought to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday by a group of concerned mothers who say that glyphosate, the active ingredient in the widespread herbicide made by the chemical and biotechnology giant, is putting public health in jeopardy.
The group of 11, which included scientists, a lawyer and health worker, urged the agency to look at the results of a recent pilot study commissioned by their group, Moms Across America, and Sustainable Pulse. Their study found glyphosate present in human breast milk, indicating -- contrary to industry claims -- that the herbicide may build up or "bioaccumulate" in women's bodies.
The results of that study were "considerable and shocking," Zen Honeycutt, Founder and Director of Moms Across America, told Common Dreams.
Honeycutt pointed to a previous study which looked at Roundup's negative effects on gut bacteria and pointed to possible links between those effects and a number of diseases. She said that in her group's breast milk study, the sample with the highest levels of Roundup detected had levels that were higher than was shown to destroy gut bacteria in the earlier study.
Her group is asking the EPA to revoke the license for glyphosate, recall foods sprayed with it, call for its use as a drying agent to be stopped, and to include in the EPA review of glyphosate the results from the breast milk study.
Their meeting with the EPA comes on the heels of a March Against Monsanto day of action that saw demonstrations against the biotech giant in scores of countries.
It also follows a phone campaign organized by Moms Across America that urged supporters to call the EPA because "we wanted them to understand how bad glyphosate is," Laurie Olson, West Coast Leader with the group, explained to Common Dreams.
"We just called and called," Olson said. She estimates the group made about 10,000 calls over about a week period. "We got their attention," she said.
"We're not some giant corporation. We're real people with real stories and real lives, and we want it to stop," Olson said, referring to glyphosate's effects.
It might seem like a David vs. Goliath battle, but Honeycutt is confident.
"We will do this," she said. "We will get Roundup recalled, and we will have an impact on the chemical treadmill."
For those interested in the ongoing campaign, she says the next steps will be on the group's Facebook page.
For now, she said, "Keep talking and sharing. Moms are making a difference."
___________________________
It's time for Monsanto's Roundup to stop poisoning our food.
That was the message brought to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday by a group of concerned mothers who say that glyphosate, the active ingredient in the widespread herbicide made by the chemical and biotechnology giant, is putting public health in jeopardy.
The group of 11, which included scientists, a lawyer and health worker, urged the agency to look at the results of a recent pilot study commissioned by their group, Moms Across America, and Sustainable Pulse. Their study found glyphosate present in human breast milk, indicating -- contrary to industry claims -- that the herbicide may build up or "bioaccumulate" in women's bodies.
The results of that study were "considerable and shocking," Zen Honeycutt, Founder and Director of Moms Across America, told Common Dreams.
Honeycutt pointed to a previous study which looked at Roundup's negative effects on gut bacteria and pointed to possible links between those effects and a number of diseases. She said that in her group's breast milk study, the sample with the highest levels of Roundup detected had levels that were higher than was shown to destroy gut bacteria in the earlier study.
Her group is asking the EPA to revoke the license for glyphosate, recall foods sprayed with it, call for its use as a drying agent to be stopped, and to include in the EPA review of glyphosate the results from the breast milk study.
Their meeting with the EPA comes on the heels of a March Against Monsanto day of action that saw demonstrations against the biotech giant in scores of countries.
It also follows a phone campaign organized by Moms Across America that urged supporters to call the EPA because "we wanted them to understand how bad glyphosate is," Laurie Olson, West Coast Leader with the group, explained to Common Dreams.
"We just called and called," Olson said. She estimates the group made about 10,000 calls over about a week period. "We got their attention," she said.
"We're not some giant corporation. We're real people with real stories and real lives, and we want it to stop," Olson said, referring to glyphosate's effects.
It might seem like a David vs. Goliath battle, but Honeycutt is confident.
"We will do this," she said. "We will get Roundup recalled, and we will have an impact on the chemical treadmill."
For those interested in the ongoing campaign, she says the next steps will be on the group's Facebook page.
For now, she said, "Keep talking and sharing. Moms are making a difference."
___________________________