Roundup Bad for DNA, Cells… But Corn Rootworms Learning to Like It?

Here's a round-up of research not being conducted at a South Dakota university run by Monsanto executive board member David Chicoine:

Monsanto's flagship herbicide Roundup damages mouth cells and DNA:

To reflect occupational exposure, human buccal epithelial cells were exposed to glyphosate and Roundup for 20 minutes only at concentrations from 10 mg/L to 200 mg/L. The Roundup formulation used for the experiments contains 450 g/L of glyphosate and should be diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions to 1&ndash3 % before use (final concentration 4 500&ndash13 500 mg/l). The researchers found some significant effects with 10-20 mg/l, equivalent to a 225&ndash1 350-fold dilution of the spraying solution [Eva Sirinathsinghji, "Glyphosate Toxic to Mouth Cells & Damages DNA, Roundup Much Worse," Institute of Science in Society Reports, 2012.03.28].

Dr. SirinathSinghji also finds Roundup kills kidney cells. Spanish researchers are finding glyphosate, Roundup's main active ingredient, showing up in 41% of groundwater samples. In one study, German researchers found glyphosate in all urine samples tested at five to twenty times the tolerable concentration established for drinking water.

Meanwhile, Monsanto is launching a massive experiment with new drought-resistant biotech corn in South Dakota and across the Great Plains, even as scientists warn in a March 5 letter to the EPA that Monsanto's biotech corn is losing its resistance to corn rootworm. The Environmental Protection Agency has already declared, contrary to Monsanto's assurances, that Monsanto's program for monitoring possible cases of resistance is inadequate.

None of the corn experts signing that March 5 warning letter are from South Dakota State University.

Update 15:49 MST: In related news, Mr. Mercer notes that the South Dakota Biotechnology Association will host a research poster session at its annual summit on October 25. Proposals are due May 15. Research proposals on the hazards of Monsanto products are surely welcome.