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glyphosate, etc.

     I would me remiss not to respond to the questions regarding the
potential human tumorigenic role (s) of the herbicide Roundup ("active"
ingredient, glyphosate and "inert" ingredients) and the chlorinated
hydrocarbon herbicides (i.e., the 2,4-D derivatives).  [Parenthetically, I
am a recently retired professor at a top medical school in Michigan, past
Associate Editor of the leading cancer journal (Cancer Research), have had
a very active career in the mechanisms of cancer causation and have been a
frequent consultant to our National Cancer Institute and our American
Cancer Society on cancer prevention and control].
     With regard to Roundup, I am aware of absolutely no compelling
scientific evidence that this product (active and inert substances) has
been involved in human cancer (or experimental animal) development and/or
growth.  I use this herbicide extensively (see below), thus I can assure
you that my sensory systems have been, over the years, "on alert" for
scientific evidence to the contrary.  When one examines the biological
action (s) of this herbicide, it is extremely difficult to come up with a
chemical process that one could link to tumorigenic processes.  With regard
to the 2,4-D derivatives, evidence does exist suggesting the possibility of
a positive stimulatory effect of these chemicals on the genesis of certain
human cancers (in particular, the leukemias, lymphomas, liver neoplasms,
etc.).  However, this positive effect is extremely weak and inconsistent!
It is important to point out that EVERY chemical or chemical compound that
we utilize (absorb), synthetic or natural, has a cost/benefit ratio.  We
strive to have the "benefits" to be in excess of the "costs".  Your
projected risk of developing cancer is far greater if you, e.g, engage in
enhaling the products of combustion engines (e.g, walking behind a gasoline
lawnmower) or if you engage in chronic hyperalimentation (excess caloric
consumption) at home or at your favorite restaurant, when compared to the
risks involved in the CAREFUL use of the above herbicides.
    Having said such, it is still extremely important that one uses all
herbicides JUDICIOUSLY.  I use the above herbicides extensively, but very
carefully.  I could not succeed in my native grassland restoration and/or
reconstruction projects (with very few exceptions) without the use of one
or both of these herbicides, i.e., the beneficial aspects of these
herbicides far exceeds the costs.

Cliff
(Clifford W. Welsch)
(a native grassland restorationist/reconstructionist in south/central Michigan)


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