Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup®, and over a hundred other commercial formulations. It is a cause of great concern, as evidence of its harmful effects keeps piling up.
Independent scientific studies in recent years link pesticides to endocrine disruption, DNA damage, reproductive and developmental toxicities, neuro-toxicity, cancer, and birth defects.
"The European Commission approved glyphosate knowing, as Monsanto did, that it causes birth defects, while the public were kept in the dark, the herbicide must now be banned" Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji and Dr. Mae-Wan Ho.
See: http://www.isis.org.uk/EU_Regulators_Monsanto_Glyphosate_Toxicity.php.
Glyphosate is absorbed through the leaves and spreads throughout the plant, including the roots and seeds. Glyphosate is systemic; it can’t be washed off because it’s inside the plant.
The Argentinan experience is dire. 'Argentina's Roundup human tragedy - GM Soy, a death sentence for humans and the environment' shows how 10 years of GM soy and glyphosate have escalated the rates of cancer and birth defects. See: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/argentinasRoundupHumanTragedy.php,
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/blog/glyphosate-public-healt….
In addition glyphosate has now proven to cause yield reduction and crop damages in other crops.
See: http://www.gmfreecymru.org.uk/pivotal_papers/glufosinate_drift.html.