cancer Archives

New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

Carey Gillam | March 24, 2020

Even as the spread of the coronavirus closes courthouse doors to the public and lawyers, legal maneuvering continues over claims of danger associated with Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides. Two nonprofit advocacy groups, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), filed an amicus brief on behalf of cancer patient Edwin Hardeman … New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

Appeals court denies Monsanto bid for Roundup case rehearing

Carey Gillam | August 18, 2020

A California appeals court on Tuesday rejected Monsanto’s effort to trim $4 million from the amount of money it owes a California groundskeeper who is struggling to survive cancer that a jury found was caused by the man’s exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. The Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District of California also … Appeals court denies Monsanto bid for Roundup case rehearing

New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

Carey Gillam | November 23, 2020

Newly published scientific papers illustrate the ubiquitous nature of the weed killing chemical glyphosate and a need to better understand the impact exposure to the popular pesticide may be having on human health, including the health of the gut microbiome. In one of the new papers, researchers from the University of Turku in Finland said … New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

New research adds evidence that weed killer glyphosate disrupts hormones

Carey Gillam | November 13, 2020

New research is adding worrisome evidence to concerns that the widely used weedkilling chemical glyphosate may have the potential to interfere with human hormones. In a paper published in the journal Chemosphere titled Glyphosate and the key characteristics of an endocrine disruptor: A review, a trio of scientists concluded that glyphosate appears to have eight out … New research adds evidence that weed killer glyphosate disrupts hormones

Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

Carey Gillam | June 22, 2020

A Virginia lawyer who helped represent the first Roundup cancer plaintiff to take Monsanto to trial pleaded guilty on Friday to trying to extort $200 million from a chemical compound supplier to Monsanto. Timothy Litzenburg, 38, admitted to a scheme in which he and another lawyer threatened to inflict substantial “financial and reputational harm” on … Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

Appeal in first Monsanto Roundup cancer trial to be heard in June

Carey Gillam | April 9, 2020

A California appeals court has set a June hearing for cross appeals resulting from the first-ever trial over allegations that Monsanto’s herbicides cause cancer. The Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District of California said Thursday that it was setting a hearing for June 2 in the case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto. … Appeal in first Monsanto Roundup cancer trial to be heard in June

Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

Carey Gillam | June 2, 2020

A California jury decision blaming a Monsanto herbicide for a school groundskeeper’s cancer was deeply flawed and incompatible with the law, a Monsanto attorney told a panel of appellate judges on Tuesday. The company’s glyphosate-based herbicides – popularly known as Roundup – have the full backing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and “regulators around … Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

Carey Gillam | May 14, 2020

A California appeals court looks poised to issue a ruling that would uphold the first U.S. trial victory involving allegations that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer causes cancer. The California Courts of Appeal First Appellate District on Wednesday notified lawyers for plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson and legal counsel for Monsanto that they should be prepared to … Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

Bayer shareholder meeting draws protests, pleas from cancer patients

Carey Gillam | May 1, 2020

The Bayer AG annual shareholders’ meeting got underway Tuesday in Germany, drawing the attention of not only investors and analysts but also activists, lawyers and cancer patients who want to see Bayer make amends for alleged misdeeds by Monsanto, which Bayer bought two years ago. The meeting was to be an in-person event in Bonn, … Bayer shareholder meeting draws protests, pleas from cancer patients

Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

Carey Gillam | April 3, 2020

Bayer AG is reneging on negotiated settlements with several U.S. law firms representing thousands of plaintiffs who claim exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sources involved in the litigation said on Friday. The reversal comes as U.S. courts are closed to the public because of the spreading coronavirus, eliminating the … Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

Carey Gillam | February 3, 2020

A Roundup cancer trial in St. Louis, Missouri, will not open on Wednesday as expected, a court spokesman said Monday, fueling fresh speculation that a global settlement of tens of thousands of lawsuits brought by cancer victims against the former Monsanto Co. may be near. St. Louis City Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Hogan issued the … St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

St. Louis Roundup trial postponed as large settlement appears near

Carey Gillam | January 24, 2020

Update – Statement from Bayer: “The parties have reached an agreement to continue the Wade case in Missouri Circuit Court for St. Louis. The continuance is intended to provide room for the parties to continue the mediation process in good faith under the auspices of Ken Feinberg, and avoid the distractions that can arise from trials. While Bayer … St. Louis Roundup trial postponed as large settlement appears near

Monsanto loses effort to head off St. Louis trial that starts next week

Carey Gillam | January 16, 2020

Monsanto’s German owner Bayer AG has failed in efforts to head off a Missouri trial over claims brought by cancer patients that Monsanto’s herbicide caused their diseases and Monsanto hid the risks. In a ruling handed down Wednesday, St. Louis City Judge Elizabeth Byrne Hogan of Missouri’s 22nd Circuit ruled that the company wasn’t entitled … Monsanto loses effort to head off St. Louis trial that starts next week

Anticipation Builds For Settlement of Roundup Cancer Claims

Carey Gillam | January 14, 2020

Anticipation is building around the belief that there could soon be an announcement of at least a partial settlement of U.S. lawsuits pitting thousands of U.S. cancer patients against Monsanto Co. over allegations the company hid the health risks of its Roundup herbicides. Investors in Bayer AG, the German company that bought Monsanto in 2018, … Anticipation Builds For Settlement of Roundup Cancer Claims

St. Louis Monsanto Roundup Trial Postponed, Bayer stock climbs

Carey Gillam | January 8, 2020

A highly anticipated Roundup cancer trial set to start later this month in the St. Louis area has been pulled from the docket, a court official said on Wednesday. The trial, which was to pit a woman named Sharlean Gordon against Roundup maker Monsanto Co., was to start Jan. 27 in St. Louis County and … St. Louis Monsanto Roundup Trial Postponed, Bayer stock climbs

More Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trials Expected to be Postponed

Carey Gillam | January 7, 2020

(UPDATE Jan. 8, 2020- On Wednesday, St. Louis County Court spokeswoman Christine Bertelson confirmed that one trial set to start Jan. 27 has been officially postponed with no new trial date yet set. That trial was to pit a woman named Sharlean Gordon against Monsanto. ) Discussions are underway to postpone one or more highly … More Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trials Expected to be Postponed

Monsanto Makes New Bid to Block St. Louis Trial

Carey Gillam | September 23, 2019

Less than a month away from what would be the fourth Roundup cancer trial to pit cancer victims against the former agrochemical giant Monsanto Co., lawyers for the opposing sides continue to battle over how, when and where the case should – or should not – be heard. Lawyers for Monsanto and for its German … Monsanto Makes New Bid to Block St. Louis Trial

UPDATED- St. Louis Trial over Monsanto Roundup Cancer Claims in Limbo

Carey Gillam | September 19, 2019

(UPDATE) – On Sept. 12, the Missouri Supreme Court closed the case, agreeing with plaintiffs’ attorneys that Monsanto’s request for the high court to take up the venue issue was moot. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Michael Mullen then transferred all plaintiffs except Winston to St. Louis County in a Sept. 13 order.) An October … UPDATED- St. Louis Trial over Monsanto Roundup Cancer Claims in Limbo

New Analysis Raises Questions About EPA’s Glyphosate Classification

Stacy Malkan | January 14, 2019

Researcher says the EPA has disregarded substantial evidence that the popular herbicide is linked to cancer This article was originally published in Environmental Health News. By Carey Gillam A little more than a month ahead of a first-ever federal trial over the issue of whether or not Monsanto’s popular weed killers can cause cancer, a … New Analysis Raises Questions About EPA’s Glyphosate Classification

Tech, Medical and Farm Groups Ask Appeals Court to Overturn Verdict Against Monsanto

Carey Gillam | September 4, 2019

Groups representing farm, medical and biotechnology interests have filed briefs with the California Court of Appeal, aligning with Monsanto in asking the court to overturn last summer’s jury verdict that found Monsanto’s glyphosate-herbicides cause cancer and determined that the company spent years covering up the risks. The groups are urging the appeals court to either … Tech, Medical and Farm Groups Ask Appeals Court to Overturn Verdict Against Monsanto

Emails Reveal Science Publisher Found Papers On Herbicide Safety Should Be Retracted Due to Monsanto Meddling

Carey Gillam | August 23, 2019

Secretive influence by Monsanto in a set of papers published in the scientific journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology was so unethical that an investigation by the publisher found that at least three of the papers should be retracted, according to a series of internal journal communications. The journal editor refused to retract the papers, which … Emails Reveal Science Publisher Found Papers On Herbicide Safety Should Be Retracted Due to Monsanto Meddling

A Matter of Fact – Professor Refuses to Correct Errors in New Scientific Paper Finding Problems with Glyphosate

Carey Gillam | June 5, 2019

(UPDATED June 5 with comment from Scientific Reports) The authors of a newly published paper examining the impacts of exposure to the world’s most widely used herbicide declared some shocking news. The team from Washington State University found that descendants of rats exposed to the chemical glyphosate developed prostate, kidney and ovarian diseases, obesity and … A Matter of Fact – Professor Refuses to Correct Errors in New Scientific Paper Finding Problems with Glyphosate

Monsanto fails bid to banish experts from St. Louis Roundup cancer trial

Carey Gillam | July 29, 2019

Monsanto is not finding an early hometown advantage as it prepares for the next Roundup cancer trial after the St. Louis judge who will oversee the trial denied Monsanto’s motion for summary judgment and denied the company’s request to ban experts scheduled to testify for the plaintiff. Before selling to Germany-based Bayer AG last year, … Monsanto fails bid to banish experts from St. Louis Roundup cancer trial

Sick Children Among Cancer Victims Suing Monsanto Over Roundup

Carey Gillam | July 16, 2019

A 12-year-old boy suffering from cancer is among the newest plaintiffs taking on Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG in growing litigation over the safety of Roundup herbicides and Monsanto’s handling of scientific concerns about the products. Lawyers for Jake Bellah were in court Monday in Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport, California arguing … Sick Children Among Cancer Victims Suing Monsanto Over Roundup

Judge Cuts Amount Monsanto Owner Bayer Owes Cancer Victim

Carey Gillam | July 15, 2019

A federal judge has slashed the punitive damages a jury ordered Monsanto to pay to cancer victim Edwin Hardeman from $75 million to $20 million, despite the judge’s description of Monsanto’s conduct surrounding questions about the safety of its Roundup herbicide as “reprehensible.” U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled Monday that the jury’s decision in the … Judge Cuts Amount Monsanto Owner Bayer Owes Cancer Victim

Monsanto, Bayer Struggle to Keep Up with Growing Roundup Cancer Litigation

Carey Gillam | June 13, 2019

Turmoil both in and outside courtrooms appears to be growing for Monsanto, a unit of German owner Bayer AG, as the company works to meet overlapping deadlines for appeal actions in the three Roundup cancer trials Monsanto has lost so far at the same time that the company must prepare for new trials at the … Monsanto, Bayer Struggle to Keep Up with Growing Roundup Cancer Litigation

In Their Hands – Jurors in 3rd Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Weigh Evidence

Carey Gillam | May 13, 2019

Jury deliberations were set to resume Monday morning in Oakland, California in the case of an elderly married couple who allege that many years of use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide caused them each to develop debilitating non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lawyers for plaintiffs Alva and Alberta Pilliod and legal counsel for Monsanto and its German owner Bayer … In Their Hands – Jurors in 3rd Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Weigh Evidence

“Go Get ‘Em” – Jury Deliberations Starting in Roundup Cancer Trial

Carey Gillam | May 9, 2019

After dramatic day-long closing arguments in which the plaintiffs’ attorney suggested $1 billion in punitive damages would be appropriate, jury deliberations were getting underway on Thursday in the trial pitting a married couple with cancer against Monsanto. Alva and Alberta Pilliod, each diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, were in Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland, California, … “Go Get ‘Em” – Jury Deliberations Starting in Roundup Cancer Trial

New Monsanto documents expose cozy connection to Reuters reporter

Carey Gillam | April 25, 2019

We knew from previously released documents that Reuters reporter Kate Kelland was a key connection for Monsanto in its endeavor to undermine and discredit the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) scientists who classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen in 2015. Now we have additional evidence of the coziness of the … New Monsanto documents expose cozy connection to Reuters reporter

Weedkiller ‘Raises Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by 41%’

Susan Lang | February 14, 2019

Study says evidence ‘supports link’ between exposure to glyphosate and increased risk This article was originally published in the Guardian . By Carey Gillam A broad new scientific analysis of the cancer-causing potential of glyphosate herbicides, the most widely used weedkilling products in the world, has found that people with high exposures to the popular … Weedkiller ‘Raises Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by 41%’

My Friend Died from Cancer Today

Susan Lang | December 18, 2017

By Carey Gillam My friend died from cancer today. His was a short, eight-month-long battle for survival, but it was a brutal one. Now his wife and young children are not planning for Christmas; instead they are planning his funeral. This man’s passing is a tragedy for his family and friends to be sure. But … My Friend Died from Cancer Today

Corporate power, not public interest, at root of science committee hearing on IARC

Carey Gillam | February 5, 2018

(First published in Environmental Health News) Score another point for corporate power over protection of the public. U.S. Rep Lamar Smith, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, & Technology, has slated a full committee hearing for Feb. 6 with an agenda aimed squarely at attacking some of the world’s top … Corporate power, not public interest, at root of science committee hearing on IARC

Controversy, questions surround California’s listing of weed killer as cancer cause

Stacy Malkan | July 17, 2017

By Carey Gillam This article originally appeared in Environmental Health News on July 7, 2017. California’s official listing today of the world’s most widely used weed killer as a known carcinogen marks a milestone in what has been years of debate over the safety of the pesticide called glyphosate. But it by no means marks … Controversy, questions surround California’s listing of weed killer as cancer cause

Get our newsletter | Weekly updates in your inbox

It's Your Right to Know