New research suggests that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup®, has caused significant harm to the health of infants in rural areas, particularly over the last two decades. The study from the University of Oregon underscores the dangerous effects of this widely-used herbicide on birth outcomes.
Increased Glyphosate Use and Its Impact on Birth Outcomes
Glyphosate use has surged by over 750% since the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in 1996, which were designed to withstand direct glyphosate exposure. The study found that this increase in pesticide application has been linked to reduced average birth weight and shorter gestational periods in rural communities, where glyphosate use is most prevalent. Researchers estimated that glyphosate exposure resulted in a 29.8-gram reduction in average birth weight and shortened pregnancies by 1.49 days.