California Couple Sues Over Roundup Glyphosate Herbicide Causing Cancer, US Court Orders Monsanto to Pay Damages
Known for producing genetically modified seeds and herbicides, the world's largest genetically modified agriculture giant "Monsanto" has seen its products repeatedly face strong resistance from environmental groups over the years, who believe the company has not only caused severe environmental damage, but that the chemical ingredients in its products
Known for producing genetically modified seeds and herbicides, the world's largest genetically modified agriculture giant "Monsanto" has seen its products repeatedly face strong resistance from environmental groups over the years, who believe the company has not only caused severe environmental damage, but that the chemical ingredients in its products also harm the people who use them, triggering multiple lawsuits and protests in various places.
Well-Known Herbicide Causes Cancer
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), Monsanto's well-known glyphosate-based herbicide "Roundup" was sued by a couple living in California, who believe that the chemical ingredients in the product are the main cause of both of them developing Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Glyphosate, with trade names including Roundup or Nongda, Haonichun, Ririchun, Nichanchun, Haobochun, etc.
The couple believe that starting in 1975, they used "Roundup" herbicide on their land for many years, until they stopped using it in 2011. The husband and wife were diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and 2015 respectively, and finally decided to file a lawsuit against Monsanto in 2017 to seek justice.
Jury Orders Monsanto to Pay 2 Billion USD in Damages
After nearly 2 years of proceedings, the Alameda County Superior Court in California issued a ruling on the 14th, with the jury determining that Monsanto must pay the Pilliod couple (Alva and Alberta Pilliod) a total of 2.055 billion USD in damages.
In the ruling, the plaintiff husband Alva will receive 18 million USD (approximately 560 million New Taiwan dollars) in compensatory damages, as well as 1 billion USD (approximately 31.086 billion New Taiwan dollars) in punitive damages; while his wife Alberta will receive 37 million USD in compensatory damages, and 1 billion USD (approximately 31.086 billion New Taiwan dollars) in punitive damages.
The Pilliod couple, who accused Monsanto's herbicide of causing them to develop cancer, attended a press conference accompanied by their lawyer. (Associated Press)
Never "Proactively Reminded" Consumers of the Danger
The jury found that Monsanto did not add a warning on the herbicide's outer packaging that the product carries a cancer risk, and afterward gave the impression that it was merely an inadvertent oversight.
The Pilliod couple's defense lawyer stated, "Internal documents reviewed by the jury show that from the very first day Roundup was put on the market, they (Monsanto) never verified whether the product was safe. Not only did they not proactively verify it, on the contrary, they invested millions of dollars to attack various scientific reports from the outside that 'harmed their commercial reputation.'"
The jury found that Monsanto had for a long time failed to note the cancer risk on the herbicide's packaging. (Associated Press)
Bayer Will Appeal Again
However, regarding the jury's ruling, Monsanto's new owner Bayer stated that they are very disappointed and will continue to appeal. They expressed protest against the US and EU governments over accusations that products containing glyphosate cause cancer.
Bayer further pointed out, "Alva and Alberta have a long medical history, (we) believe that is the main cause of their cancerous tumors."
German pharmaceutical giant Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018, triggering large numbers of German citizens to take to the streets in protest. (Thomson Reuters)
Monsanto is an American company that dominates genetically modified agriculture, holding over 70% of the world's crop seeds and nearly 90% of the market share in the United States. Its most well-known product is the glyphosate herbicide called Roundup.
After the company was exposed by the media and accused of using genetically modified seeds and herbicides to control farmers and agriculture, causing small farmers to be exploited, it began to face numerous protests and class-action lawsuits around the world; in addition, as genetically modified products have never been able to convince people, global coordinated anti-Monsanto movements have repeatedly erupted, attempting to break this "giant's" monopoly position.