A groundbreaking study has confirmed that glyphosate, the widely used herbicide ingredient in Roundup, can cause multiple types of cancer even at levels considered safe by regulatory agencies. The Global Glyphosate Study, led by the Ramazzini Institute in Italy, exposed rats to glyphosate from the prenatal stage through their entire lifespan, mimicking long-term human exposure.
Rats received doses of 0.5, 5, and 50 mg/kg/day matching levels currently deemed safe. Yet, researchers observed a significant increase in both benign and malignant tumors across multiple organs including the liver, thyroid, ovary, nervous system, and blood (leukemia). Alarmingly, around 40% of leukemia-related deaths occurred early in life, indicating that prenatal exposure dramatically increases cancer risk.
These findings confirm and expand upon earlier concerns raised by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, which in 2015 classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Until now, regulatory approvals persisted due to “insufficient” evidence. This new study challenges that stance by showing that cancer can develop even at low, so-called safe doses especially when exposure starts before birth.
The implications for human health are serious. Animal studies are a proven method for predicting cancer risk in humans—many known carcinogens were first flagged in rodent research. Adding to the concern, previous studies have found glyphosate in the urine of most pregnant women tested, with links to lower birth weights and higher neonatal risks. This raises urgent questions about glyphosate’s safety and widespread use.
