Glyphosate is a widely used broad-spectrum herbicide in many parts of the world, and it has also been pointed out for causing many diseases.
This chemical degrades in the environment transforming into a harmful metabolite known as AMPA, which has led to both substances being rigorously controlled.
As the most widely used and commercialized herbicide worldwide, glyphosate works by inhibiting the action of a crucial enzyme for photosynthesis, thus preventing affected plants from growing and bearing fruit.
## Diseases Caused by Glyphosate
The use of glyphosate has been linked to a series of concerning diseases.
Below are ten of the most alarming diseases related to this herbicide:
1. **Alzheimer’s:** Glyphosate generates oxidative stress and neuronal cell death, factors observed in Alzheimer’s disease.
2. **Autism:** Glyphosate has been found to promote the accumulation of aluminum in the brain, a possible cause of autism.
3. **Birth Defects:** Studies in Paraguay show that glyphosate can cause congenital defects, doubling the incidence of these in exposed areas.
4. **Cancer:** Surveys in Argentine agricultural communities indicate a significant increase in cancer rates since the start of glyphosate spraying.
5. **Celiac Disease:** There is a relationship between celiac disease and the effects of glyphosate, including imbalance in intestinal bacteria.
6. **Chronic Kidney Disease:** Glyphosate use is linked to an increase in cases of kidney failure in agricultural workers.
7. **Depression:** Glyphosate alters serotonin production, a key neurotransmitter, contributing to depression.
8. **Miscarriages and Stillbirths:** The high toxicity of glyphosate to human placental cells explains pregnancy problems in exposed workers.
9. **Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma:** 30-year research has concluded that there is a relationship between glyphosate exposure and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
10. **Parkinson’s:** Herbicides like glyphosate have been recognized as key environmental factors associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s.
## The Controversial Use of Glyphosate
The company **Monsanto**, acquired by **Bayer** in 2018, promoted the use of glyphosate as a desiccant to speed up crop harvesting. This chemical is applied to a variety of non-genetically modified crops, including wheat, barley, and sugarcane.
In the last 30 years, the use of **genetically modified crops** has exponentially increased the use of herbicides.
Monsanto has been accused of falsifying data on glyphosate safety and promoting it as “environmentally safe” and “biodegradable.” A French court ruled that these claims were false and misleading.
In Europe, the use of glyphosate continues to generate controversy. **Environmental and public health advocates** seek stricter restrictions, while some agricultural sectors defend its use for economic and practical reasons.
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