September 2021

EPA exposed for hiding chemical risks, favoring corporate interests

Carey Gillam | September 30, 2021

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a long and well-documented history of questionable conduct when it comes to regulation of chemicals important to the profit centers for many large and powerful corporations. Numerous examples show a pattern of agency actions that allow for the use of dangerous chemicals by consumers, farmers, groundskeepers and others … EPA exposed for hiding chemical risks, favoring corporate interests

Monsanto scientist defends Roundup safety in California trial

Carey Gillam | September 28, 2021

A senior scientist at the former Monsanto Co. told jurors in a California trial that the company’s Roundup herbicide is so safe that the scientist uses it regularly at her home, and suggests friends also use the weed killing product. Donna Farmer, who worked as a toxicologist at Monsanto for more than two decades and … Monsanto scientist defends Roundup safety in California trial

Zhengli Shi Edits to Widely-Cited EMI Commentary

Shannon Murray | September 28, 2021

A new document shows Zhengli Shi’s edits to a draft of the Emerging Microbes & Infections commentary, “No credible evidence supporting the claims of the laboratory engineering of SARS-CoV-2.” Zhengli Shi is a leading Chinese virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Shi proposed three edits of note. First, she proposed changing the presentation of … Zhengli Shi Edits to Widely-Cited EMI Commentary

EPA’s “scientific integrity” program lacks teeth, group alleges

Carey Gillam | September 28, 2021

Insiders at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have alleged dozens of violations of the agency’s “scientific integrity ” policy over the last few years, including complaints of political interference and tampering with chemical risk assessments, but nearly all the complaints have been ignored, according to an analysis conducted by a nonprofit group representing EPA employees. … EPA’s “scientific integrity” program lacks teeth, group alleges

Cancer patient lawyer spars with Monsanto scientist in California Roundup trial

Carey Gillam | September 22, 2021

A lawyer for a woman claiming her use of Roundup herbicide caused her to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma sparred with a longtime Monsanto scientist in court on Wednesday, forcing the scientist to address numerous internal corporate documents about research showing Monsanto weed killers could be genotoxic and lead to cancer. The testimony by former Monsanto scientist … Cancer patient lawyer spars with Monsanto scientist in California Roundup trial

Litigation against Syngenta grows; lawyers fight over evidence and trial dates

Carey Gillam | September 21, 2021

Syngenta AG is facing a growing number of U.S. lawsuits over allegations that its paraquat herbicide causes Parkinson’s disease, with a Fresno, California man pushing for an expedited trial that potentially would start within the next few months, and multiple plaintiffs’ lawyers jockeying for power and influence over future trial proceedings. Plaintiff George Isaak used … Litigation against Syngenta grows; lawyers fight over evidence and trial dates

Monsanto lawyer cross-examines cancer patient over her claims Roundup caused her disease

Carey Gillam | September 20, 2021

A California woman suing Monsanto over allegations that her use of Roundup weed killer caused her to develop cancer testified Monday that she had a hard time remembering many details about the extent of her use of the pesticide, struggling to answer several questions posed by a Monsanto attorney. In cross examination, Monsanto attorney Bart … Monsanto lawyer cross-examines cancer patient over her claims Roundup caused her disease

How NIH-funded research in China could have led to the COVID-19 pandemic

Shannon Murray | September 17, 2021

A multimillion-dollar bat coronavirus research grant, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was made public last week, revealing that researchers based in Wuhan, China had manipulated coronaviruses in ways that led to increased severity of infection, employing platforms that tested the ability of bat coronaviruses to use human receptors. The grant documents underscore … How NIH-funded research in China could have led to the COVID-19 pandemic

Son testifies about his mother’s cancer alleged due to Roundup exposure

Carey Gillam | September 14, 2021

A woman suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma was a devoted user of Roundup herbicide for decades before she became ill, her son testified Tuesday in a California trial that marks the fourth such trial pitting a cancer victim against Roundup maker Monsanto. Under questioning by a lawyer representing plaintiff Donetta Stephens, her son David Stephens recalled … Son testifies about his mother’s cancer alleged due to Roundup exposure

EPA whistleblower testifies her advocacy for stronger health protections drew agency retaliation

Carey Gillam | September 13, 2021

Children’s health expert Ruth Etzel on Monday testified in a public hearing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked to silence and harass her, removing her from a top-level position after she complained about agency delays in advancing a lead poisoning prevention program. In testimony before Merit Systems Protection Board Judge Joel Alexander, Etzel described … EPA whistleblower testifies her advocacy for stronger health protections drew agency retaliation

African groups want Gates Foundation, USAID to shift agricultural funding as hunger crisis worsens

Stacy Malkan | September 8, 2021

Billions of dollars in aid and subsidies for industrial agriculture are harming food security in one of the world’s hungriest regions, according to African groups who want donors to shift funding to African-led efforts and agroecology.

U.S. Right to Know

Month: September 2021