Roundup of Cancer Evidence: The EPA says the weed killer is safe and noncarcinogenic.
The Wall Street Journal | Editorial Board
A California jury awarded a stunning $2.055 billion Monday to a couple who claim that Bayer AG’s Roundup weed killer caused their cancer. But would the judgment have been different if the judge had allowed the jury to see contradictory evidence?
That’s the question Bayer will raise in its appeal thanks to Judge Winifred Smith, who presided over the trial. The Alameda County Superior Court judge denied a request by Bayer’s lawyers to inform the jury that the Environmental Protection Agency concluded last month that Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, is noncarcinogenic and poses no risk to public health when used as directed.
What’s the relevance?” Judge Smith asked before dismissing Bayer’s request. But if glyphosate is safe, then it isn’t responsible for the non-Hodgkin lymphoma of Alva and Alberta Pilliod.