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posted by janrinok on Monday January 23 2017, @10:57PM   Printer-friendly
from the positively-RATified dept.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/01/study-linking-herbicide-disease-fuels-debate-170116140401709.html

UK scientists say they have conducted an unprecedented, long-term study showing a link between Roundup - one of the most widely used herbicides in the world - and severe liver damage in test rats.

The research sparked further debate in the international scientific community over the potential health hazards to people caused by exposure to the well-known weed killer.

Scientists from King's College London, whose findings were published in the journal, Nature , earlier this month, said their tests used cutting-edge technology to demonstrate that "extremely low doses" of the herbicide administered to rats through their drinking water had caused "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)" over a two-year period.

NAFLD can lead to more serious liver disease such as cirrhosis, and increases the risk of other illnesses including diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.

"The study is unique in that it is the first to show a causative link between consumption of Roundup at a real-world environmental dose and a serious disease condition," the report said.

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of studies alleging links between herbicides - used to help grow genetically modified crops - to a wide range of health issues including birth defects, reproductive and neurological problems, cancer, and even DNA damage. Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, has repeatedly denied the accusations , insisting the product is safe for humans. A number of scientists and researchers say there has been insufficient evidence to prove herbicides cause health problems for people.

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  • (Score: 3, Informative) by Sulla on Tuesday January 24 2017, @12:06AM

    by Sulla (5173) on Tuesday January 24 2017, @12:06AM (#457863) Journal

    I think this is a good way to go, probably because I do pretty much the same with the exception of my veggie garden. I am more concerned with pests than I am with weeds. Have been using the age old usage of plants that keep the bugs away. Have done great with a border of nastursiums, tobacco, sage, and dalpheniums (spelling need not apply).

    Tobacco is wonderful. When watered enough it gets a nice sticky sap along the stem, this draws in the aphids. Aphids die and attract yellow jackets. Yellow jackets die and life is wonderful.

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