According to several recently released documents, Monsanto may have intentionally planned and scripted a political assault against the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), after the agency declared that the active ingredient in Monsanto’s popular herbicide Roundup, glyphosate, is probably cancerous to humans.

Monsanto Documents Indicate Attempts to Discredit IARC

The Intercept reports that in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer officially classified glyphosate, a chemical weed killer used in Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup, as a probable carcinogen. This classification has led to a worldwide debate about the accuracy of this claim, as well as the possible side effects of Roundup’s main ingredient.

Since the classification, members of Congress have attempted to disprove the IARC’s claim that glyphosate may cause cancer. In February 2018, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) claimed that the evidence linking glyphosate exposure with cancer is unsubstantiated and not backed by reliable data, saying “The selective use of data and the lack of public disclosure raise questions about why IARC should receive any government funding in the future.”

Another Representative, Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), has claimed that the research into glyphosate and its possible carcinogenic properties is an assault on the farmers and food manufacturers of America.

However, according to The Intercept, recently uncovered documents indicate that Monsanto may have ghostwritten statements for several policymakers regarding the IARC’s statements about glyphosate. The company may also have used its political influence inappropriately in an attempt to undermine the IARC’s credibility.

The documents, including internal company emails, documents, and deposition transcripts, also indicate that Monsanto additionally attempted to cover up information regarding the potential health risks of glyphosate exposure. According to these documents, the company kept tabs on Roundup critics and made concerted attempts to silence or discredit them. The company has also been caught ghostwriting studies on the safety of glyphosate. These studies were presented as independent research, rather than articles written by a company with a clear conflict of interest.

Monsanto Roundup Lawsuits and Settlements

Monsanto and its parent company Bayer are facing at least 11,000 lawsuits regarding glyphosate exposure and cancer, or other illnesses, worrying stock holders. According to many of the plaintiffs in these lawsuits, the company failed to warn consumers about the possible risks associated with the herbicide, and marketed the product as being harmless to people.

Many people who have used Roundup have used the product for years without wearing appropriate protective gear, and may have been exposed to glyphosate hundreds or thousands of times. Groundskeepers, home gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners may all have been exposed to the popular weed killer.

Victims who have been exposed to glyphosate and Roundup may be eligible to hire a qualified attorney and pursue litigation against Monsanto. Victims who file class action lawsuits may be able to collect compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of income or earning capacity, and in some cases, punitive damages. Some plaintiffs who have won their recent glyphosate cancer cases against Monsanto have been awarded tens of millions of dollars.

If you or a loved one developed cancer after using Roundup as a farm worker or home gardener, you may have a legal claim. Legal migrant farm workers may also seek help. Learn more by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.

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