There are some things that are unique about the US, and this one gives me pause. We not only allow the sale of genetically modified organisms for human consumption, we’re clearly on the side of the folks that produce them on issues around disclosure in the marketplace and the farmer’s right to grow unmodified crops. According to the US Department of Agriculture, genetically modified crops have become the norm in the United States. For example, in 2010, 70% of all the corn that was planted was herbicide-resistant; 78% of cotton, and 93% of all soybeans. In an article on Harvard’s website, Jennifer Hsaio states that  World Health Organization has announced that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen. Although studies have shown conflicting conclusions about the link between glyphosate and cancer in humans, glyphosate has been linked to cancer in rats and mice and experiments in human cells have shown that exposure to glyphosate can cause DNA damage.

The term herbicide resistant may be a little misleading.  Herbicide tolerant could be more considered more accurate, since the modified crops continue to take up the herbicide in greater quantities and pass them on to consumers.  So, here in the US, we’re much more likely to be exposed to higher levels of glyphosate that our counterparts in Europe.

Interesting.