Glyphosate & Superweeds: Toxic to Cells and More
Spring is almost here, and soon begins the preparation of the ground for planting. Sadly, for farmers growing Monsanto seeds, it means using an arsenal of pesticides along with Monsanto’s glyphosate (Roundup) to combat the superweeds that have become glyphosate resistant. With over 70% of the corn, soy, and cotton grown from Monsanto’s genetically engineered glyphosate resistant seeds, new pesticides have been employed, including a new version of Agent Orange, as well as Paraquat (banned in many countries across the globe). Sugar beets and alfalfa are also being grown from genetically engineered glyphosate resistant seeds.
According to Stratus, an Agri-Marketing firm, “US Farmers told us that 61.2 million acres of cropland are infested with glyphosate resistant weeds, almost doubling since 2010.” (Stratusresearch.com)
Corn and Soybean Digest recommends that farmers “use a fall burn down plus a residual herbicide, use a spring burn down before planting, another at planting including a residual herbicide, and two more in season herbicide applications.” (cornandsoybeandigest.com/crop-chemicals/managing-herbicide-resistant-weeds)
The term “burn down” means a complete flattening of all vegetation in a field with a broad-spectrum herbicide such as Paraquat.
Research conducted at the University of Granada, Spain and recently published in the journal Environmental Research showed there is a direct relationship between exposure to pesticides (Persistant Organic Pollutants known as CPO’s ) found in food, water, and air and prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adults, regardless of age, gender, or body mass index.
New research published in the journal Toxicology (1) shows that inert ingredients in glyphosate herbicides (those ingredients that may not be on the label) are more toxic to human cells than glyphosate itself. The inert compound recently discovered in Roundup is called POE-15. Adjuvants of the POE family (polyethoxylated tallowmine) have now been revealed to be actively toxic to human cells.
Despite Monsanto and the other agriculture bio-tech companies repeated calls for more glyphosate resistant seeds, and greater herbicide applications, a study at Iowa State University (2012) showed that when farmers diversify crop rotations to include small grain crops and off-season cover crops, weeds can be suppressed without increased herbicide use.
What we can do:
Every time we purchase organic, or GMO-free, or pesticide-free foods, we support the farmers who focus on sustainable farming, thus reducing herbicide usage.
Every time we purchase a processed food product, or foods that are GMO we are contributing to the increased use of herbicides.
Support your horse’s immune system with bovine colostrum, or the Holy Basil/Mushroom blend in True Balance.
Support your own immune system with antioxidant foods: vegetables, fruits and legumes; remember to eat the color spectrum of food: yellows, greens, reds, oranges, purples, and dark blues.
Start exerting your rights as a consumer by contacting your feed stores and hay suppliers and ask for pesticide-free hay, non GMO alfalfa, and GMO-free beet pulp. Seek out the feeds that are GMO-free. Put pressure on your state government to initiate a GMO labeling law.
We are not powerless pawns in the Big Ag game. Decisions we make on how we feed ourselves, our families, our animals affect not only health but future generations as well.
Tigger
