Monsanto “acted with malice, oppression or fraud and should be punished for its conduct,” Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos announced during recent court battle.
“The verdict heard around the world”: Agricultural giant, Monsanto, recently lost a historical court battle
Agricultural giant, Monsanto, has recently lost a historical court battle against individual, Dewayne Johnson. The court decided that Monsanto’s product, RoundUp, and glyphosate was a known carcinogen to the company and was not warned to employees, including Johnson. The decision is being termed “the verdict heard around the world,” and will cost the company $289 million in damages to Johnson who claimed the glyphosate-based product, RoundUp, caused his cancer.
Watchdog organizations followed Monsanto’s science, and omissions, building a body of evidence addressing the dangers
For years watchdog organizations have followed Monsanto’s science, and omissions, slowly building a body of evidence explicitly pointing to the dangers of using these chemicals. This case was an example of science being undeniably against the safety of these products, and a gigantic corporation simply sweeping hardcore scientific evidence under the rug.
Comparisons to big tobacco abound
Comparisons to big tobacco abound, as it has become very clear that Monsanto knew as early as 2002 that these chemicals, and the formulations they were distributing had health dangers and concerns. The science finally got to be too much to deny.
Jury found that Monsanto failed to warn Johnson of the possible health hazards involved with exposure
The jury found that Monsanto failed to warn Johnson of the possible health hazards involved with exposure, calling it a “negligent failure,” knowing that their product was dangerous. Johnson, a 46-year old father, developed severe non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma while serving as a groundskeeper at a California school.
Johnson not the only individual to file claims against the agri-giant
Johnson is not the only individual to file claims against the agri-giant. Nearly 4,000 more plaintiffs have claims pending against Monsanto and its chemical products. This ruling certainly will impact these future cases.
Studies reflect evidence that the company’s formulations also cause endocrine disruption, liver cancer, and other health conditions
In addition, this ruling is creating a wider discussion surrounding other things Monsanto has hidden from the public. Studies show evidence that the company’s formulations also cause endocrine disruption, liver cancer, and other health conditions. With this recent verdict, these other concerns may be taken much more seriously.
Razi Berry is the founder and publisher of the journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review that has been in print since 2005 and the premier consumer-faced website of naturopathic medicine, NaturalPath. She is the host of The Natural Cancer Prevention Summit and The Heart Revolution-Heal, Empower and Follow Your Heart, and the popular 10 week Sugar Free Summer program. From a near death experience as a young girl that healed her failing heart, to later overcoming infertility and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia through naturopathic medicine, Razi has lived the mind/body healing paradigm. Her projects uniquely capture the tradition and philosophy of naturopathy: The healing power of nature, the vital life force in every living thing and the undeniable role that science and mind/body medicine have in creating health and overcoming dis-ease. Follow Razi on Facebook at Razi Berry and join us at Love is Medicine to explore the convergence of love and health.