Cancer cause or crop aid? Herbicide faces big test

Regulators in the US and Canada are conducting a formal review of the herbicide Glyphosate's safety. This chemical is used in Monsanto's Roundup and other generic pesticides. There are mountains of evidence that the herbicide is dangerous to humans and the environment and that it's use degrades soil and creates resistant super-weeds, but it has powerful backers in industry and government nonetheless. The EPA, unfortunately, is relying largely on industry generated data in its evaluation and has set a lower safety standard than is typically used in toxicity reviews.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/08/us-glyphosate-epa-idUSTRE7374WX20110408?pageNumber=1

"Critics say it's a chemical that could cause infertility or cancer, while others see it speeding the growth of super weeds and causing worrying changes to plants and soil. Backers say it is safe and has made a big contribution to food production."