Attorney on Roundup cases: ‘Focusing on the science can be difficult for a jury’
St. Louis Record | John Severance
Three trials in California against Bayer have sided with plaintiffs involving allegations that the glyphosate in the herbicide Roundup causes cancer, despite regulatory agencies concluding that glyphosate is not harmful to humans.
Richard AuBuchon, executive director of Missouri Justice Reform Coalition and also an attorney based in Jefferson City, says science presented during trials can sometimes be difficult for a jury.
“The government (regulatory) agencies focused on the science, period,” AuBuchon said. “When the agencies reviewed these chemicals there was no story to tell or evidence to argue about how it was presented. It was all about the science and studies have shown repeatedly these herbicides are safe when used as directed for their intended purpose. With the passage of a higher proof of evidence for expert testimony in Missouri, it is my hope that cases like this will yield greater inspection into the true science presented instead of just an opinion based on theory.”