Court Ruling Hampers RoundUp Cancer Claims Against Monsanto
In a significant setback for plaintiffs suing Monsanto and Bayer over claims that RoundUp weedkiller causes cancer, a California federal judge has dismissed a key study frequently cited in more than 170,000 cases as “junk science.”
U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria rejected the testimony and research findings of Luoping Zhang, a toxicology professor at UC Berkeley, citing methodological flaws and unreliability, according to the Northern California Record.
Zhang’s meta-analysis, which attempted to link glyphosate (the active ingredient in RoundUp) to cancer, was deemed insufficient because it relied on existing studies rather than producing new, conclusive research, the judge ruled.
Chhabria added that Zhang’s findings failed to consider exposure to other chemicals and other critical factors.
Judge Rejects Key Study in RoundUp Cancer Case
Angelo Bulone, a South Carolina resident, filed his lawsuit against Monsanto in December 2019, claiming that his chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diagnosed in 1995, was caused by exposure to glyphosate from 1988 to 1991 while using weed killers on a golf course he owned.
According to the lawsuit, Bulone “rode in the back of a golf cart with a handheld sprayer, spraying every inch of the golf course” with RoundUp for “three hours a day, 25 days a month, every month of the year from 1988 to 1991.” It wasn’t until 2019 that he realized his cancer could be linked to the product. Bulone’s situation is similar to thousands of others who have filed lawsuits alleging that RoundUp caused cancer in its users.
Is RoundUp a Cancer Risk?
Glyphosate, the key ingredient in RoundUp, works by stopping a crucial enzyme that plants need to grow, making it effective for keeping driveways, patios, and farmlands clear of weeds. However, its effectiveness is accompanied by heated debate regarding its safety. Various forms of cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, b-cell lymphoma, and mantle cell and follicular lymphoma, have been reported by those exposed to glyphosate over long periods.
While the EPA has been hesitant to directly link glyphosate to cancer, other organizations and studies, such as one from the University of Washington, suggest a strong connection. This study indicated that glyphosate exposure could increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by 41%. Additionally, CDC findings that most Americans have traces of RoundUp in their systems highlight the herbicide’s pervasive use.
RoundUp Cancer Victims Continue Legal Battle Despite $11B Payout
Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, has faced numerous lawsuits over RoundUp, with juries awarding substantial damages in several cases. In 2020, Bayer agreed to an $11 billion settlement to resolve most claims. Despite this, litigation continues with mixed results in various courts.
This latest ruling has significant implications for the ongoing litigation, with thousands of similar lawsuits pending, many relying on studies like Zhang’s to establish a link between RoundUp and cancer.
Free Case Review Offers Path to Justice and Compensation
If you’ve used RoundUp and later developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or another related cancer, you might consider a lawsuit against Bayer. Time is of the essence, as each state has a statute of limitations that dictates how long you have to take legal action. This period generally starts when you’re diagnosed or when you first suspect a link between your condition and RoundUp.