A two-day conference kicking off this evening in Arlington, Va., will take a closer look at emerging threats to children from environmental pollutants. One expected highlight: how crops that are genetically engineered to resist up to eight herbicides — combined with the growing problems of weeds that are also resistant to herbicides — are leading farmers to use more of the chemicals on their fields, with possible effects on newborns. Herbicide use on soybeans this year is expected to be double what it was in 2001 due to an increasing number of acres dedicated to herbicide-resistant GMO crops.
Dr. Paul Winchester of Indiana’s Riley Hospital for Children is set to report on new research that found 90 percent of pregnant women at one OB-GYN practice in the state had residues of the herbicide glyphosate, better known as Monsanto’s Roundup, in their urine. The higher the residue level, the greater the risk researchers observed of preterm delivery or low birth weight or both.
Dr. Paul Winchester of Indiana’s Riley Hospital for Children is set to report on new research that found 90 percent of pregnant women at one OB-GYN practice in the state had residues of the herbicide glyphosate, better known as Monsanto’s Roundup, in their urine. The higher the residue level, the greater the risk researchers observed of preterm delivery or low birth weight or both.