Environmental health perspective
Differential effects of glyphosate and Roundup
on human placental cells and aromatase
Sophie Richard, Safa Moslemi, Herbert Sipahutar, Nora
Benachour, Gilles-Eric Seralini
doi:10.1289/ehp.7728 (available at http://dx.doi.org/)
Online 24 February 2005

Abstract Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide used worldwide including on most
genetically modified plants in which it can be tolerated. Its residues may thus enter the
food chain and glyphosate is found as a contaminant in rivers. Some agricultural workers using
glyphosate have pregnancy problems, but its mechanism of action in mammals is questioned. Here we
show that glyphosate is toxic on human placental JEG3 cells within 18 hr with concentrations
lower than the agricultural use, and this effect increases with concentration and time,
or in the presence of Roundup adjuvants. Surprisingly, Roundup is always more toxic than its
active ingredient. We tested its effect on aromatase with lower non-toxic concentrations, the
enzyme responsible for estrogen synthesis. The herbicide acts as an endocrine disruptor on
aromatase activity and mRNA levels, and glyphosate interacts within the active site of the purified
enzyme, but its effect is facilitated by Roundup formulation in microsomes or in cell culture. We
conclude that endocrine and toxic effects of Roundup and not only glyphosate can be observed in
mammals. We suggest that the presence of Roundup adjuvants enhances glyphosate
bioavailability and / or
bioaccumulation.
_____

Post those abstracts on this thread Marshall. I promise not to post innumerable cites, abstracts or secondary materials attempting to refute them.

-------------------------------------------------------
The current work comes on the heals of French work showing strong
effects of the herbicide on animal reproduction after exposure to levels
of herbicide on tenth the level recommended for spraying. Glyphosate
should be re-evaluated by EPA at this time. However, the response from
the regulators will likely be a pr campaign defending the pesticide
rather than the frogs.

Can the planet live after the frogs are all wiped out? We may be shocked
at the impact of the end of frogs may have on the framework of life on
the planet.

Ecological Applications, 15(2), 2005, pp. 618–627
THE IMPACT OF INSECTICIDES AND HERBICIDES ON THE
BIODIVERSITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF AQUATIC COMMUNITIES

RICK A. RELYEA1
Department of Biological Sciences, 101 Clapp Hall, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260 USA

Abstract. Pesticides constitute a major anthropogenic addition to
natural communities.
In aquatic communities, a great majority of pesticide impacts are
determined from singlespecies
experiments conducted under laboratory conditions. Although this is an
essential
protocol to rapidly identify the direct impacts of pesticides on
organisms, it prevents an
assessment of direct and indirect pesticide effects on organisms
embedded in their natural
ecological contexts. In this study, I examined the impact of four
globally common pesticides
(two insecticides, carbaryl [Sevin] and malathion; two herbicides,
glyphosate [Roundup]
and 2,4-D) on the biodiversity of aquatic communities containing algae
and 25 species of
animals.
Species richness was reduced by 15% with Sevin, 30% with malathion, and
22% with
Roundup, whereas 2,4-D had no effect. Both insecticides reduced
zooplankton diversity
by eliminating cladocerans but not copepods (the latter increased in
abundance). The insecticides
also reduced the diversity and biomass of predatory insects and had an
apparent
indirect positive effect on several species of tadpoles, but had no
effect on snails. The two
herbicides had no effects on zooplankton, insect predators, or snails.
Moreover, the herbicide
2,4-D had no effect on tadpoles. However, Roundup completely eliminated
two species of
tadpoles and nearly exterminated a third species, resulting in a 70%
decline in the species
richness of tadpoles. This study represents one of the most extensive
experimental investigations
of pesticide effects on aquatic communities and offers a comprehensive
perspective
on the impacts of pesticides when nontarget organisms are examined under
ecologically
relevant conditions.

Henry, Europeans write dates in that order, for example, today is, 5 April 2005 (Marshall's Birthday). I read & posted that study on Organic Conversations. Good to see it posted here too.

not that i am a round-up fan, i just thought i would clarify why its bad for water.

now there is a new round-up being advertised that includes weed suppression as well - advertised for up to 3 to 4 month control...i havent had a chance to look into that one... anyone know what the new ingredients are?...i am guessing similar to preen maybe?

I live, landscape, landscape manage, and organic farm in S.Cal., a lot more tropical than S.C. We learned to live without widespread use of Roundup and other pre- and post-emergent weeds through management practices. I admit to using Roundup on weeds coming up through paving and other difficult situations. We might even spray out a bermuda lawn (but none of the others) if clients insist because of costs. OTOH, the kill never gets all the stolons and does nothing about the vast store of bermuda grass seed in the soil profile.

I've never used RU, or any herbicide. I had no idea so many people did before I joined GWeb.

2-4-D and simular are widely used for "burndown" before sowing soybeans. While 2-4-D is probably more benign than most herbicides, I haven't forgotten the time the field adjacent to me was sprayed late in the day with almost no wind. This would seem good. However that night it vilotated [vaporized in part] and caused me some damage.