RoundUp A "Safe" Pesticide or Carcinogen?

Choosing to Grow Organic

A recent headline should cause concern for large scale as well as backyard growers,  "WHO-Long cleared Roundup 'probably' causes cancer.  The debate over the safety of pesticides continues. 

" Earlier this month, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer announced findings that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’s RoundUp line of pesticides, is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The research,published in The Lancet Oncology, relies on studies conducted on the chemical over the last few decades." (pbs.org)

GMO foods are being engineered to resist the effects of glyphosate so weeds and produce can be sprayed at once.  Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to this active ingredient so new products that combine glyphosate and 2,4-D are being marketed. And of course Monsanto is demanding a retraction of these findings.

All chemical pesticide are toxic to some degree.  An "approved" pesticide just has an acceptable toxic level thought to be safe.  Having read that statement you should probably ask, "Acceptable to who?"  Is that a decision you want a government agency making for you?

So how do pesticides effect us? 

Their effects fall into one or all of these four categories. 

• Known or Probable Carcinogens
• Hormone Disruptors
• Neurotoxins
•  Developmental or Reproductive Toxins

  


How much is too much when it comes to pesticides? 

It depends on the pesticide.  It depends on the timing and exposure.  It depends on the person. 

Spring garden May2015 

You do have a choice when it comes to using and consuming chemically grown foods!

Be sure of what's on your food.  Grow your own and grow organically!  I personally do not entrust my health and the health of my family to a government agency.  I choose not to take a risk that RoundUp is "safe."  When there are healthy alternatives that work, why choose a chemical pesticide?

Organically grown greens

It is a myth that growing organically is harder, more expensive, and less productive.  All food crops and landscape including your lawn can be manage organically.  

Organically managed

"Let us give nature a chance.  

She knows her business better than we do."